PPP's Syed Ali Qasim Gillani Leads in Multan By-Election

In the ongoing by-election for Multan's NA-148 constituency, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Syed Ali Qasim Gillani has surged ahead with 78,270 votes, as per unofficial results from 250 out of 275 polling stations. His closest rival, Taimur Altaf Malik, supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), has garnered 47,793 votes so far.

The polling day, which ran smoothly from 8am to 5pm, witnessed a robust turnout. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and local authorities meticulously organized 275 polling stations, including 69 sensitive ones, to accommodate the 444,231 registered voters in Multan-I.

Stringent security measures were in place at the polling stations, with surveillance cameras and walk-through gates enhancing safety. The by-election features eight candidates, notably SIC leader Barrister Taimur Altaf Malik and PPP's Ali Qasim Gillani, vying for the vacant National Assembly seat left vacant by Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani's senatorial victory.

In the 2024 general elections, Gillani narrowly clinched the seat from Malik. To ensure transparency, the ECP established an Election Monitoring and Control Centre to facilitate public grievance redressal during the voting process. Trained personnel are stationed at these centers to promptly address any complaints, with control centers operating at multiple administrative levels for efficient complaint resolution.

The Election Monitoring and Control Centre is actively functioning not only at the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad but also at provincial, divisional, and district levels.

The by-election in Multan's NA-148 constituency has witnessed a competitive race between PPP's Ali Qasim Gillani and SIC-backed Taimur Altaf Malik. With a significant voter turnout and stringent security measures in place, the electoral process has been smooth and well-organized. The Election Monitoring and Control Centre's establishment further underscores the commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent election. As the final results draw near, the political landscape in Multan is poised for a potential shift with the emergence of a new representative for the constituency.