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LAHORE, Sept 30: Ruling PML’s Naveed Ashiq Dyal won bypoll to the Punjab Assembly seat PP-157 by defeating his main rival Raja Tajammal Hussain of the ARD here on Saturday.
According to unofficial results, Mr Dyal bagged 11,692 votes against 7,740 of Mr Hussain.
The seat had fallen vacant following the disqualification of PML-N MPA Raja Tajammal Hussain who was backed by the ARD and MMA in the bypoll.
The ARD rejected the election result and said the election commission had failed to ensure neutrality of the polls in view of the `official patronage’ extended to the ruling party candidate.
PPP leader Naveed Chaudhry said development funds issued by the chief minister for the constituency and the changed polling schemes had influenced the election result. The official machinery too used its influence, he alleged.
By-elections had become a one-sided affair in the country because of the official patronage to the ruling party candidates and the election commission should take notice of it, he said.
FACILITATION: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has said the victory of Naveed Ashiq Dyal was a manifestation of association of the masses with the PML.
In a statement issued here on Saturday night, he said the Mr Dyal’s success had proved that the PPP had little following in the masses.
While congratulating Mr Dyal, he hoped that he would utilize all his energies for the service of the people of the area without any discrimination.
The chief minister also congratulated PML workers, office-bearers and representatives of local bodies of the constituency for showing unity during the election.
Meanwhile, IGP Zia-ul-Hassan Khan has lauded the performance of police operation wing in connection with maintaining law and order during the bypoll.
