Polling in NA-120 by-election ends, ballots' counting underway
It is the first time in Pakistan that biometric verification machines have been installed at 39 stat
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Polling for NA-120 by-polls on Sunday (September 16) have ended at 05:00pm and counting of the ballots is underway to announce a winner out of prominent contenders including Kulsoom Nawaz, Yasmin Rashid, Faisal Mir and Yaqub Sheikh.
The polling, which began at 08:00 AM, continued till 05:00 PM. It is the first time in Pakistan that biometric verification machines have been installed at 39 polling stations.
.jpg)
Voters turnout that was reported dismal in the afternoon gained momentum towards the later half of the alloted time period and locals including disabled persons cast their votes to elect a leader.
PML-N leader Bilal Yasin reached Central Model School and faced difficulties in voting initially as his wrong address was mentioned on the slip, but he eventually succeeded in casting the vote. PML-N leader also accused that the PTI workers sitting outside polling stations are strangers and do not belong to NA-120.
PTI candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid appealed to the people of NA-120 in her media talk to come out and cast their vote on this vital day that is going to make history. She said their votes will change the fate of this country and will give a bright future to their children.
PTI leader Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said while talking to media that there can be no competition between a doctor and a patient. She said people across the world want healthy leadership, and PML-N is using the ailment of its candidate to get sympathy votes to win the election. PTI will end the political exploitation by PML-N today by defeating it, she claimed.
Clashes have also erupted between PML-N and PTI at Cooper Road and near Mozang Adda, but security forces dispersed the crowd. Water cannon has been summoned at Central Model School owing to possible tension.
The security is beefed up for the contest as all polling stations have been declared sensitive. The constituency has been divided into five police zones, 11 circles and 23 sub-sectors.
Read: Lahore votes: The battle for NA120
A superintendent of police (SP) will be in-charge of each zone, and deputy superintendent of police (DSP) of each circle. 7,000 police officers have been deployed in total including six SPs and 17 DSPs. Officials of Pakistan Army and Rangers are also performing duties at the polling stations.
At least 44 candidates, including Begum Kulsoom Nawaz of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Dr Yasmin Rashid of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Faisal Mir of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), are contesting the election.
A close contest is expected between Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, wife of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and PTI candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid.
Read also: Election history of NA-120 constituency
There are 321,786 registered voters in the constituency who will exercise their right to vote today. The Election Commission of Pakistan has set up 220 polling stations for the voters.
Let it be known that the election campaign for the by-poll ended at midnight falling between Friday and Saturday.
It is pertinent to mention here that the seat fell vacant after Supreme Court (SC) disqualified Nawaz Sharif over Panama Leaks case on July 28.
