Lahore: The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) retained two seats in Punjab's by elections held on Sunday, winning National Assembly constituency NA 77 Gujranwala and Punjab Assembly constituency PP 203 Chichawatni, according to unofficial results.
Both seats fell vacant following the deaths of their respective PML N lawmakers in September. Polling began at 8 am and ended at 5 pm, with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) describing the process as largely peaceful.
In NA 77, PML N candidate Rashid Basheer Virk secured 43365 votes against 30218 received by Muhammad Ibrahim of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), according to provisional Form 47 results.
Virk contested the seat previously held by his father, Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir Virk, a five time member of the National Assembly who died on September 11.
In PP 203, PMLN candidate Muhammad Asad Hanif Jutt emerged ahead of Muhammad Awais Mahmood of Tehreek i Ehsas Pakistan. Provisional figures in the online edition showed Jutt receiving 42114 votes, compared with Mahmood's 24512.
Low participation marks both contests
Voter turnout remained particularly low in both constituencies, with approximately 15.7 per cent recorded in NA 77 and 27.6 per cent in PP 203, according to provisional figures.
Major opposition parties, including Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamaat e Islami, did not field candidates in the Gujranwala contest.
In Chak Beig village, Gujranwala, none of the 1153 registered voters reportedly cast a ballot. Some residents attributed their boycott to the prolonged delay in building an access road and dissatisfaction with local development.
The Chichawatni seat was previously held by PML N lawmaker Chaudhry Muhammad Hanif Jutt, whose death on September 17 necessitated another by election.
ECP investigates alleged electoral violations
Despite the largely peaceful polling, the ECP issued explanation notices to several PML N lawmakers for allegedly visiting polling stations in violation of its election code.
Those receiving notices included MNA Saira Afzal Tarar, MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, MPAs Qudsia Batool and Hina Arshad Warraich, and Parliamentary Secretary Shazia Rizwan.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also faces proceedings over alleged participation in election campaigning in NA 77. The ECP summoned him and other relevant individuals for a hearing on November 12.
The commission warned that it could withhold the constituency's result pending its decision.
Separately, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari alleged that supporters of the PMML candidate improperly marked ballot papers. Election authorities ordered an inquiry into the allegation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz congratulated their party's candidates, describing the results as an endorsement of PML N's policies.
However, the victories remain subject to formal confirmation by the ECP, with electoral conduct inquiries still pending.
