MULTAN, Pakistan: A tough contest is expected between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidate Syed Ali Qasim Gilani and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC)’s Taimur Altaf Malik in the Multan by-election today.
The constituency NA-148 (Multan-I) was vacated by PPP’s Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani after he assumed charge as Chairman Senate. In February 8 elections, Gilani defeated Taimur Altaf Malik by a narrow margin of just 293 votes.
NA-148 Multan constituency comprises of parts of urban areas such as Town Committee Qadir Pur Ran, areas of Multan Saddar Tehsil, Multan Cantonment, Multan Cantonment Qanungo Halqa of Multan City Tehsil, Bosan Qanungo Halqa, Sher Shah Qanungo Halqa, Nawab Pur Qanungo Halqa and more.
The district administration has finalized all arrangements for the by-election scheduled to be held today. Out of 275 polling stations, 69 are termed sensitive. CCTV cameras have been installed at the sensitive polling stations.
On Saturday, Deputy Commissioner Rizwan Qadeer paid a visit to the central election office at Multan Public School and reviewed arrangements. Returning Officer NA-148 Muhammad Saif gave briefing on election material delivery and polling scheme. The DC said that the district administration will provide a transparent and peaceful election environment as per directions of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
