Punjab by-elections: PTI’s popularity shakes ruling PML-N

By-elections are going to be held tomorrow in 20 constituencies of Punjab, whether the government of Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shehbaz Sharif will continue or not will be decided by tomorrow night, however, the report of the security agencies about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) popularity has shaken the Punjab and federal governments led by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N).

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), 175 candidates will contest the by-elections in 20 constituencies of Punjab, but the real competition is between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and their allies.

Sources told News 360 that the security agencies of Punjab have compiled the statistics regarding the expected results and a report in this regard has been given to the Punjab and the federal governments yesterday morning.

Sources revealed that according to the report of the security agencies, PTI has gotten 70% edge on 18 seats, whereas, PML-N and its allies have only a 30% possibility to win the by-polls.

According to the details, the PML-N and its allies have the upper hand on only two seats, one in Lahore and the other in Multan, where PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi has won. Qureshi’s son Zain Qureshi is contesting elections from the Multan constituency where the winning ratio in these two constituencies is 60 and 40 per cent. PML-N has gotten the upper hand of 60 per cent victory chances while PTI is getting a 40 per cent margin.

Punjab police has finalised the security plan for the by-elections in 20 constituencies of Punjab. More than 52,000 personnel and officers would be on duty at more than 3,100 polling stations set up in 14 districts across the province.

The election commission has established 3100 polling stations in 14 districts of the province. Anti-riot Force’s 100 officials will be posted as a reserve force for the election. 4,596,873 voters will exercise their right to vote during the by-elections.

The election commission has set up 465 polling stations in four constituencies of Lahore. The police will post over 8,000 officers and other personnel in Lahore for election security, according to the police plan. The Punjab police department has set up a special control room for monitoring election security.

Sources said that following the report, the ruling PML-N has become agitated and given a task to the security agencies of Punjab to manage its victory in the by-polls.

According to the ECP, the largest number of candidates are present in Punjab’s PP-158 constituency where 14 candidates are contesting the by-polls.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja issued orders to the Punjab chief secretary, inspector-general (IG) and concerned security agencies to keep the environment peaceful during the by-elections.