PML-N demands ECP to withhold results of 'most disputed and controversial' NA-249 by-polls

NA-249 by-election was stolen from PML-N by only few hundred votes: Maryam

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz has claimed that by-election in the National Assembly constituency NA-249 was stolen from her party by only a few hundred votes. In a post on social-networking website Twitter, Maryam Nawaz demanded, “Election Commission of Pakistan must withhold the results of one of the most disputed and controversial elections. Even if it doesn’t, this victory will be temporary and will Insha’Allah come back to PML-N soon.”

Election stolen from PMLN by only a few hundred votes. ECP must withhold the results of one of the most disputed & controversial elections. Even if it doesn’t, this victory will be temporary and will Insha’Allah come back to PMLN soon. =

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 29, 2021

Meanwhile, PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi urged the commission not to announce the results of NA-249 by-polls without forensic audit while Muhammad Zubair said that ECP has failed to hold fair and transparent elections.

The reactions came after Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) won the by-election in NA-249 Karachi West-II. According to unofficial results of all 276 polling stations, PPP candidate Qadir Khan Mandokhel secured 16,156 votes while PML-N candidate Miftah Ismail got 15,473 votes to remain second. Nazir Ahmed grabbed 11,126 votes and came third. Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) chief Mustafa Kamal got 9,227 votes to remain fourth. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Amjad Afridi secured fifth position by obtaining 8,922 votes.