UMERKOT: Partial strike was observed in the town on Friday in response to opposition parties’ call for protest against ‘rigging and abuse of government machinery’ in the by-election for NA-213 a day ago, which was won by ruling Pakistan Peoples Party’s candidate.

The joint candidate for the opposition parties, Lalchand Malhi had called for a peaceful protest after the announcement of results. Shops in several areas considered stronghold of anti-PPP voters remained shuttered throughout the day.

PPP’s Saba Talpur secured a total of 161,934 votes and her major contestant, Lalchand Malhi of the Grand Democratic Alliance received 81,160 votes and Umar Jan Sarhandi, a candidate of Tehreek-i-Labbayk Pakistan was polled 3,651 votes.

According to Form-47 released by District Returning Officer, a total of 261,784 votes were cast in the constituency, comprising 137,244 male and 124,540 female voters. Overall voter turnout was recorded at 42.99 per cent, and 10,071 votes were rejected during the counting process, said the form.

The election proceedings across 498 polling stations were reported to be peaceful, with no major incidents of violence or irregularities, it said.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2025