SANGHAR, June 26: Absence of long queues of voters at polling stations across the PS-81 constituency —comprising Jam Nawaz Ali taluka and neighbouring areas — indicated an overall lack of enthusiasm in the by-election held on Wednesday.

This was despite the fact that transport was reportedly provided by the candidates to voters to enable them to cast their votes at the polling stations away from their villages.

Earlier, the deputy commissioner of Sanghar declared Wednesday a closed holiday in Sanghar, Jam Nawaz Ali and Sinjhoro talukas to facilitate the polling process.

A total of 17 aspirants were vying for the provincial assembly seat which fell vacant due to the disqualification of MPA-elect Muhammad Khan Junejo of the Pakistan Peoples Party for holding a fake degree. However, it was a contest between Jam Madad Ali of the Pakistan Muslim League-F and Asghar Junaid Junejo of the PPP.

Polling began and ended at the scheduled time. No major untoward incident was reported from anywhere, but skirmishes were reported at some polling stations.

At the Hayat Wassan polling station, PML-F MPA Nusrat Saher Abbasi and PPP MNA Shagufta Jumani reportedly traded barbs over some petty issue.

At polling station 69, Kandiari, PML-F polling agents Husna Nizamani and Safia Sirewal told Dawn that up to 25 dubious votes had been allowed to be cast at the polling station. They objected to a certain number of voters, but their complaints were ignored. They said that their cellphones were grabbed by security officials so they could not communicate the irregularities to the chief polling agent.

Strict security measures were in place at all polling stations. Voters were allowed into polling stations after physical checking. Even reporters’ entry to many polling stations was restricted.

Talking to newsmen at Berani, MNA Shazia Marri alleged that landholders belonging to the PML-F got CNICs from peasants who wanted to vote for the PPP candidate. She said despite their machinations the PPP candidate would win.

Taking to reporters, PML-F candidate Jam Madad Ali, who was leader of the opposition in the last Sindh Assembly, and MPAs Haji Khuda Bux Rajar and Imtiaz Shaikh expressed their satisfaction over the poll proceedings.

Some voters told Dawn that they had never witnessed such fair and transparent polls.