PS-127: MQM Pakistan loses first battle after 'disconnect' from London

KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidate has secured Sindh Assembly seat PS-127 on Thursday with incidents of violence reported during polling and nine people also being detained. 

The unofficial and unconfirmed results of all the 134 polling stations show PPP candidate Ghulam Murtaza Baloch bagging 21,761 votes, while Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s Waseem Ahmed could only manage 15,795 votes.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) nominee bagged 5,580 votes in the polls.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto upon the initial, unofficial results took to social media platform Twitter to express his views. He said, " Karachi kis ka? Bhutto ka! (Karachi is Bhutto's)."

Yeh Sher #Karachi Kis Ka? #Bhutto ka! #PS127

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) September 8, 2016

The process of counting of votes started after the polling time ended. It was reported that voter turnout overall was also low. 

MQM in a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner complained about incidents of violence in PS-127. “The incidents of violence are keeping MQM away from voting. Police is not registering cases against the violence,” the letter stated.

The letter added that its political opponent kidnapped three union council chairmen and tortured its nominated candidate.

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Incidents of violence

Multiple incidents of violence were reported in the by-elections. Unknown men opened fired outside a polling booth at Khokrapar injuring two people. Rangers reached the spot to control the situation. The injured were shifted to the hospital, rescue sources said.

An MQM camp at Malir Jaffar Tayyar Ghazi Chowk was ransacked by opposition party workers, MQM leaders alleged.

An enraged mob beat up a man, who the police later detained in an injured condition.

Workers of the MQM- Pakistan and Mohajir Qaumi Movemnt- Haqiqi clashed at Urdu Nagar. Rangers reached the spot to control the situation. Police detained six people after the clash, while three people have been detained in the jurisdiction of Korangi district. 

In the Saudabad area, a worker in a political party left his motorcycle and fled when police tried to stop him. Police officials said they have also seized 13 motorcycles.

There were reports of a power outage in the polling station 134 since last night.

A woman was arrested from Murad Memon Goth polling station. According to Rangers, the woman who belonged to a political party was arrested for casting fake votes.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf accused the Pakistan People's Party of rigging in the elections.

Farooq Sattar alleges rigging of polls

MQM Pakistan leader Farooq Sattar alleged that planning was already made to defeat his party in PS-127 by-polls at any cost, saying, "We only have results of 82 polling station, but the returning officer (RO) announced the result that showed us to be lagging behind with 5000 votes".

Holding a presser here, Sattar said his party has not yet received results of 52 polling stations.

"We are awaiting a few details, and if required, we would approach the election tribunal and the courts," he clarified.

DG Rangers visits PS-127

DG Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar visited Qamar Bani Hashmi polling station. He evaluated security arrangements on polling stations in the constituency.

Seat fell vacant after MQM MPA joined PSP

Polling began for by-elections in constituency PS-127 of Sindh Assembly amid strict security measures.

The polling began at 8:00 A.M and continued till 5:00 P.M without any interruption.

Over 116 from 134 polling stations had been declared very sensitive. Rangers have been deployed in and outside the polling stations.

The seat had fallen vacant due to resignation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement MPA Ashfaq Mangi after he joined Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP).

The Sindh government declared September 8 as holiday in constituency PS-127 Karachi to facilitate voters to cast their votes in the by-election.

This is the first election in Karachi after MQM Pakistan disassociated itself from its founder following anti-Pakistan remarks and attack on media house.

MQM leader Waseem Ahmed along with Ghulam Murtaza Baloch from Pakistan People’s Party and Nadeem Memon from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf are main contestants.