KARACHI: MQM-P once again emerged victorious in the NA-240 by-elections with a close margin of 65 votes against rival TLP, according to unconfirmed and unofficial results.
The MQM-P’s candidate Mohammad Abubakar has secured 10,683 votes, while TLP’s candidate Shahzada Shahbaz ended up second as he bagged 10,618 votes.
Meanwhile, the Muhajir Qaumi Movement candidate Syed Rafiuddin secured the third position with 8,349 votes, and PPP’s Nasir Rahim secured the fourth place after bagging 5,240 votes, and PSP’s Shabbir Kaimkhani grabbed 4,782 votes to stand at the fifth position.
The MQM-P won the constituency with a major margin in the 2018 general elections, while it has also emerged victorious on the seat in 2013 and 2008. In the 2002 polls, the Muhajir Qaumi Movement won the polls, but after their MNA passed away, the MQM-P was able to win the seat in a by-poll.
Read more: One killed, 9 injured as violence erupts during NA 240 by-poll
The uninterrupted polling ended at 5pm, but the day witnessed violence across the constituency, with one person belonging to the PSP being killed, while several others sustained injuries — including ex-MPA Iftikhar Alam, who is also a member of the PSP.
As many as 25 candidates partook in the contest for the seat — a stronghold of the MQM-P — that fell vacant after the death of MQM-P MNA Muhammad Ali Khan this year on April 19.
In a statement, provincial election commissioner Ijaz Chohan said the turn out in constituency remained 8.32% in a constituency of more than 500,000 voters.
