Ruling PML takes the cake: Lahore election results
According to informal results, ruling PML’s Mian Aamer Mehmood got 1,413 votes against opposition-backed Rana Mashood who got 440 votes from eight out of nine towns. Mr Rana’s votes from Samanabad Town could not be ascertained.
The opposition managed to win nazim slot of Wagha Town where Khalid Javed Ghurki defeated Ijaz Diyal by a margin of 11 votes. Mr Ghurki bagged 82 votes against Mr Diyal’s 71. The opposition had an upper hand in the town in the previous round of polls.
Another interesting contest was witnessed in Data Ganj Bukhsh Town where PML-backed Tariq Sana Bajwa defeated PML-N’s Mian Margoob by a narrow margin of two votes. The recent defection of PML-N stalwart, Haji Hanif Tayyab, facilitated win for Mr Bajwa. The ruling PML also managed a few defections from the PPP ranks to make its candidate win the top slot in the town. But, in spite of the “hectic official” effort, the PML candidate received 115 votes against 113 of his opponent.
The results in other six towns were almost a foregone conclusion with Nashtar Town returning PML candidate Sheikh Yunus unopposed.
Ms Shafaqat-u-Nisa of the PML became nazim of Shalamar Town with 140 votes against 79 of Mr Zahid Zulfiqar Khan.
Sardar Kamal Umer of the PML won nazimship of Allama Iqbal Town with 126 votes by defeating Zahoor Wattoo, who managed 113 votes in a bit closer contest.
In Ravi Town, Yusuf Ahad of the ruling party received 138 votes against Chaudhry Yusuf’s 101 votes. Another contestant, Chaudhry Wahid got only one vote.
Samanabad Town returned Mian Javed Ali with 140 votes and his opponent Akbar Khan was able to secure 105 votes.
In Gulberg Town, Faraz Chaudhry of the PML won with the biggest margin in the city when he defeated his opponent, Afnan Butt, by 119 votes: 157 against 38 votes.
Chaudhry Ashraf of the ruling PML won Aziz Bhatti Town nazim slot with 95 votes, whereas his opponent Malik Wahid received 71 votes.
The election was held in a generally peaceful atmosphere under elaborate security arrangements and no untoward incident from any polling station of the city was reported except Wapda Town where police arrested eight people who were trying to disrupt polling. However, they were later released.
The election enthusiasm was also limited to polling stations only as there was no public participation in the process.
The PML had won most of the seats in electoral college in the previous round. Where there were some doubts, it had managed some strategic defections to ensure victory for its candidates.