LAHORE: The returning officer announced on Monday official results of NA-122 and PP-147 by-elections.

Ayaz Sadiq of the PML-N retained his National Assembly seat by securing 74,525 votes against his main rival Abdul Aleem Khan of the PTI, who obtained 72,084 votes. PPP candidate Barrister Amir Hassan could obtain only 819 votes.

The turnout was 43.1 per cent. Of the 347,762 registered voters, 149,885 exercised their right to franchise at 284 polling stations in NA-122, while 1,858 votes were rejected.

Know more: Ayaz Sadiq retakes NA-122, but PML-N loses provincial assembly seat to PTI

Shoaib Siddiqi of the PTI was declared the winner in PP-147. He secured 31,964 votes, defeating Mohsin Latif of PML-N, who got 28,402. Advocate Iftikhar Shahid of the PPP bagged only 756 votes.

The voter turnout in PP-147 was 44.42pc. Of the 140,767 registered voters, 62,534 exercised their right to vote and 1,065 votes were rejected.

An election tribunal had annulled the result of general elections in both the constituencies and ordered by-elections.

Addressing a press conference, the returning officer, Zahid Iqbal, said he did not receive any complaint about rigging.

He said some complaints about violation of the code of conduct were received, but complainants failed to provide any proof. However, the complaints have been sent to the departments concerned.

He said army and police personnel deployed for the by-elections coordinated effectively as they worked to ensure a peaceful polling.

APP adds: The returning officer said the election was conducted in an honest transparent manner without any pressure.

He said the army assisted the polling staff at all levels, while police, other law-enforcement agencies and the City District Government played an important role.

District Returning Officer Ahmed Nawaz was also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2015

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