ISLAMABAD: Today is the day for by-elections in the National Assembly constituency of NA-133 Lahore (Sunday).
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that it has finalized plans to hold the by-elections in a fair and impartial manner. The polling began at 8 a.m. this morning and will continue uninterrupted until 5 p.m.
by-polls NA 133
The seat became vacant after PML-N MNA Pervaiz Malik died on October 11 from heart issues.
According to the Punjab Election Commission, the seat has 254 polling stations, including 22 A category polling stations, 198 B category polling stations, and 34 C category polling stations. There are 199 polling sites that have been designated as sensitive. Around 200 separate polling stations for men and women have been set up, as well as 54 mixed polling stations.
The NA-133 constituency has a total of 440,485 voters, with 233,585 male voters and 206,927 female voters.
Changing political dynamics
There were 11 contestants remaining after the PTI candidate dropped out of the race, including PML-Pervaiz N’s Malik’s widow Shaista Pervaiz Malik and PPP’s Aslam Gill.
In the hopes of restoring the PPP in Punjab, the PPP intensively campaigned for the NA-133 by-election in Lahore, which is considered a bastion of the rival PML-N.
Pervaiz Malik won the seat in 2018 with 89,699 votes, Waheed Alam Khan in 2013 with over 100,000 votes, and Naseer Bhutta in 2008 with a margin of more than 32,000 votes, all for the PML-N.
Arrangements for elections
For by-elections, ballot papers and other polling materials have been turned over to the presiding officers. Under the supervision of police and Rangers, polling materials, including ballot papers, are being transported to polling sites.
All presiding officers have been advised by the election commission to save important information in their computers. Under the protection of police and Rangers, presiding officers will receive polling bags from the returning officer.
Meanwhile, the ECP has requested each contender to ensure that their polling agents are properly trained. Candidates were also urged to ensure that no polling agent left the voting site without getting 45 votes. At the voting location, each presiding officer is required to hand over a signed copy of Form 45 to the appropriate polling agents.
Sultan Raja, the CEC, is pleased with the arrangements.
Sikandar Sultan Raja, Pakistan’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), examined the distribution of polling materials and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements.
All arrangements, including security, are complete, according to CEC Raja. He also asked voters to utilize their right to vote in the constituency.
For a full day’s work, presiding officers were paid Rs6,000, while assistant presiding officers and polling officers were paid Rs4,000.
The ECP instructed each presiding officer to take photos of the original form 45 and pass it over to the returning officer, along with forensic details such as time and place. By bringing polling agents on board, the commission has instructed presiding officers to keep their location services turned on, take a picture of form 45, and WhatsApp it to returning officers.
In the event that the internet is unavailable, the presiding officer should personally provide the original form 45.
The election commission stated that law enforcement agencies, such as police and rangers, have been allocated security duties.
Control room
Control rooms are places where decisions are made.
The ECP said it has set up a control room in the Returning Officer’s office, which would be operational throughout the polling process till the results are gathered.
The ECP has also established separate control centers for registering and resolving complaints at the provincial and national levels. The control room will be open from 7 a.m. until the results are compiled on election day.
The following live contacts can be used to reach the provincial control room: 042 99212209; 042 99212620; Fax: 042 99212209; Email: prcpunjabcontrolroom@gmail.com. Lahore: 042 99212209; 042 99212620; Fax: 042 99212209; Email: prcpunjabcontrolroom@gmail.com.
Complaints should be directed to the central control room at 051-9204402 or faxed to 051-9204404. Complaints can also be sent by email to ddmonitoringisb@gmail.com.
A deputy commissioner, as well as police officers and Rangers, will be on hand to deal with any unforeseen events.
The ECP further expressed the hope that voters will adhere to the COVID-19 standard operating procedures to the letter (SOPs).
