June 27, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 22, 1429

RAWALPINDI, June 26: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate had a clear lead over his rival of PML-Q in by-election for NA-52 Rawalpindi III where, unlike the February 18 general elections, voters turnout was very low.

The low turnout could be gauged from the fact that in Gulshan-i-Iqbal polling station on Adiala Road the number of registered voters is 2400 but only 400 cast votes. The apparent reason for the low turn out was hot and humid day that forced the voters to stay indoor. In February 18 elections the voters turnout was 53 percent

The polling remained peaceful in 312 polling stations of the predominantly rural constituency that stretches from Gulistan colony in the East to Dhamial in the West and from Shakrial in the North to Chakbeli Khan in the South.

Polling on the Dhamial polling station, the native village of PML-Q candidate Muhammad Nasir Raja, started three hours late at 11 am as the polling staff did not turn up in time and the Q leaguers blamed senior leader of PML-N Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan for trying to halt the process at a place where the Q League had stronghold.

A brawl took place between the women of opposing parties at a polling station at a girl school but the matter was sorted out by the polling agents. When the polling ended, the PML-N candidate Capt (retired) Mohammad Safdar was said to be in a strong position and the PML-Q candidate was his closest rival.

The seat was vacated by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan of the PML-N who won it in the February 18 elections.

GUJAR KHAN: The residents of Kalar Syedan cast their majority votes in favour of the PML-N candidate for the third consecutive time although the turnout was very low, reports our correspondent from Gujar Khan.

The polling stations were difficult to be spotted as their was no hustle and bustle, that has been typical of the election days in this Potohar-cum-hilly constituency.

In a polling station located in the town their were only 11 votes polled until 1:30 pm while the registered votes at this polling station were 1100.

The other polling stations also wore deserted look. The camps of PML-Q were totally missing outside the poling stations while the number of PML-N supporters was even thin and they were not in hunt for the voters.

Rather the smaller number of voters who could occasionally turn up found themselves rather upset as they were not being accorded as much importance as they had enjoyed during the general elections.