RAHIM YAR KHAN: Mumtaz Chang, Pakistan Peo­ples Party candidate for PP-266 (Sadiqabad) by-poll, won the seat after some tense moments and reported clashes between rivals supporters.

Earlier, Chang had claimed the returning office was involved in rigging and changing results of his victory by tempering form 45.He said the PPP had been winning this seat with a heavy lead for the last 40 years and never lost. He said police and district administration were attacked by PML-N supporters with sticks to intimidate polling staff.

There were reports of clashes between rivals at Mohib Shah and Kot Sanjar Khan polling stations in which three persons were injured.

The PPP alleged that the PML-N supporters had kidnapped their woman polling agent but it was not conformed by police.

Results of 120 out of 138 polling stations showed Chang bagged 42,072 votes, Safdar Khan Leghari of PML-N 29,096 votes and Samiullah Jutt of SIC-PTI 9,697 votes.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2024