ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured a sweeping victory in by-elections across 13 constituencies in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, winning nearly all National Assembly (NA) and provincial seats in contests marked by low voter turnout and an opposition boycott, according to unofficial results released early Monday.
The only exception was a Punjab Assembly seat in Muzaffargarh, where the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), an ally of the ruling PML-N, emerged victorious.
The results highlight the ruling party’s continued electoral strength at a time when Pakistan is navigating political uncertainty and economic pressures. With the PTI largely absent from the contest and turnout remaining low, the by-elections proceeded without the intense competition seen in earlier polls. For observers, the outcome offers a snapshot of Pakistan’s current political mood, where many voters appear disengaged while the government focuses on maintaining stability and advancing its legislative agenda. The strengthened position of the PML-N in parliament may also provide greater room to pursue policy priorities in the months ahead.
Polling was held for six NA seats — NA-18 (Haripur), NA-96 and NA-104 (Faisalabad), NA-129 (Lahore), NA-143 (Sahiwal) and NA-185 (Dera Ghazi Khan) — and seven Punjab Assembly seats, including PP-73 (Sargodha), PP-87 (Mianwali), PP-98 and PP-115/116 (Faisalabad), PP-203 (Sahiwal) and PP-269 (Muzaffargarh).
PML-N’s Strong Showing
By midnight, PML-N had secured victories across nearly all seats it contested. In NA-185 (Dera Ghazi Khan), Mahmood Qadir Khan defeated PPP’s Dost Mohammad Khosa with 82,419 votes. Lahore’s NA-129 was also won comfortably by PML-N candidate Mohammad Nauman, who received 63,441 votes against independent Arslan Ahmad’s 29,099.
The ruling party also captured NA-143 (Sahiwal), with its candidate winning 119,334 votes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated PML-N’s Tufail Jutt even before official certification, saying the victory reflected public trust in the party’s governance.
In Faisalabad, PML-N candidates secured significant leads in NA-104 and NA-96. Danyal Ahmad won NA-104 with 52,791 votes, while Mohammad Bilal Badar led NA-96 with 61,808 votes counted from a majority of polling stations.
Haripur Contest Unsettled Amid Competing Claims
Haripur’s NA-18 saw conflicting claims from PML-N and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). PTI sources said their candidate was ahead with over 102,000 votes from 341 stations. However, the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) dashboard later showed PML-N’s Babar Nawaz leading with 81,655 votes versus PTI’s Shehrnaz Ayub at 56,981 from 292 polling stations.
Provincial Seats
PML-N also secured six out of seven Punjab Assembly seats, including PP-203 (Sahiwal), PP-87 (Mianwali), PP-115 and PP-116 (Faisalabad), PP-73 (Sargodha) and PP-98 (Faisalabad). PPP won PP-269 in Muzaffargarh, where PML-N did not field a candidate.
Low Voter Turnout Despite Government Claims
Despite government claims of “robust turnout”, most constituencies saw sparse participation. In Faisalabad’s NA-96, one polling station reportedly remained empty for hours. Clerics used mosque loudspeakers in Faisalabad and Sahiwal to urge residents to vote, while videos from local police officials showed deserted polling stations.
Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja downplayed the low engagement, stating the polls had no impact on parliamentary numbers and thus drew limited public interest. He praised provincial governments for ensuring a peaceful voting process.
PTI Boycott and Allegations of Rigging
The PTI boycotted all but two contests — in Lahore and Haripur — and alleged widespread irregularities. In NA-129 Lahore, PTI leader Hammad Azhar claimed discrepancies in ballot book counts, sharing Form-36 documents showing a mismatch between issued and received ballot books. An ECP official attributed this to a typographical error.
PTI leaders in Punjab and KP accused authorities of removing their polling camps, altering election symbols, deploying biased polling staff, and mishandling voter lists. Incidents of scuffles were also reported, including injuries to PTI Youth Wing members in Lahore.
Political Stakes
Analysts noted that with PML-N expected to win at least five NA seats, the party could maintain a simple majority in parliament without relying on coalition partner PPP — a development that may shift dynamics within the ruling alliance.
The by-elections were triggered by the disqualification of several PTI lawmakers following convictions related to the May 9, 2023 violent riots. The opposition’s boycott, coupled with voter apathy, resulted in what observers say were some of the least competitive polls in recent years.
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