NA-133: PTI leader asks voters to stay at homes

LAHORE: While polling was underway, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) Central Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhary on Sunday asked his party voters not to cast votes in NA-133 by-election in Lahore.

“Our voters will stay at homes. We have appealed to the PTI voters to do not exercise their right to vote today. Today’s election is a black blot in the name of election process,” he said.

The PTI senator also predicted that less than 20 per cent vote would be cast in the by-poll.

Read more: Polling for NA-133 by-poll underway in Lahore

Polling for by-election on National Assembly seat NA-133 is underway in Lahore.

All necessary polling and administrative arrangements are in place to ensure free, fair and transparent electoral process which will continue till 5:00 pm this evening.

Foolproof security arrangements are also in place at total 254 polling stations in the constituency where 4, 40,085 registered voters can exercise their right to vote. Rangers and other security forces have been deployed in the constituency to maintain peace and order.

Viewing the coronavirus situation, the standard operating procedures announced by the government are being followed at all the polling stations.

Read more: NA-133 by-poll: After surfacing of video, PTI alleges PML-N of buying votes

Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N)’s candidate Shaista Malik and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)’s Aslam Gill along with 11 other candidates are taking part in electoral process.

The seat fell vacant after PML-N MNA Pervaiz Malik died of a heart disease on October 11. Pervaiz Malik had defeated Ejaz Chaudhry with a margin of 12,000 in 2018 general elections.

A close contest is expected between the two big parties in absence of the PTI candidate from the constituency.