LAHORE, June 26: Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) nominee Zaeem Qadri returned as winner from PP-154 amid low turnout in the by-election for the only seat in the provincial metropolis on Thursday.

Most of the polling stations presented a deserted look as candidates had to work hard to bring voters out to cast vote.

Even though, a good number of residents in the constituency (Township and Green Town) are working people, local holiday also failed to make polling stations crowded.

Wagons and pick-ups hoisting PML-N flags were seen plying various streets of the locality but most of them were empty.

Dawn witnessed not more than 100 ballots were cast at most of polling stations by 2pm, except for a Bagrian polling station, where 200 votes were polled.

The poll remained peaceful throughout the day as no incident of clash or firing was reported from any area. Registered voters for the constituency are over 120,000.

Some voters said they did not go to the polling station because the polls were being held on a working day and weather was muggy.

In Gujjar Colony, people complained that polling stations were set up too far while no candidate arranged transport for them to get there.

Two independents – Pir Masoom Shah Naqvi and Qari Hafeezur Rehman –contested against Qadri. Mr Rehman looked like a non-serious candidate as not even a single camp of him was seen outside any polling station.

Pir Masoom Naqvi alleged rigging in the polls, saying armed men of Qadri kept away many of his polling agents from polling stations.

According to him, bogus votes were cast at many places and the rigging could be witnessed at the DPS school’s polling station.

Naqvi said that after visiting various polling stations and listening to the complaints from his agents, he had decided not to accept results.

He also submitted a complaint with the chief election commissioner, demanding cancellation of the polls and holding it afresh in a transparent, fair and free manner.

Naqvi said he did not boycott the polls for he did no want to sabotage the democratic process though, he alleged, he had been harassed to walk out of the polls.

Qadri, however, denies all these allegations. He said Lahore was home to the PML-N and every one was aware that defeating the party here was next to impossible.

It was for this reason that even the PML-Q candidate withdrew his papers, he added.

Also, the Election Commission issued a notification and declared Punjab Excise and Taxation Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman as elected unopposed from PP-141.