MQM retains NA-246 seat, albeit less comfortably

The status quo prevailed in NA-246 as Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) poured cold water on the high electoral hopes of politically-charged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) workers by retaining the seat comfortably. According to unofficial/unconfirmed result, the MQM candidate Kanwar Naveed Jamil won the NA-246 seat by securing 93,125 votes. The PTI candidate Imran Ismail secured second position with 22,885 votes; whereas JI candidate Rashid Naseem secured 9111.
Despite that all the polling stations were declared sensitive, the by-elections held in peaceful manner and no mishap was reported during the poll, as extraordinary security measures were taken by law enforcement agencies (LEAs). During a brief visit to various polling stations, this scribe observed that the environment at polling stations was quite peaceful and the citizens were casting their votes smoothly and without any problem.
"We have no abjections regarding the overall environment of this booth, voters and the security personnel are co-operating with us, things are moving in right direction," said a female presiding officer, wearing a black scarf at Muniba Memorial Government Primary School.
However, tension gripped the area when a clash erupted between the MQM and PTI workers/supporters in Karimabad after the polling time. Some frenzied MQM activists reportedly attacked the central camp of PTI, pelted stones and burned PTI flags. Following the incident police and rangers personnel reached at the site to maintain the law and order. The troops resorted to baton charge and used tear gas to disperse the infuriated activists. Several persons were arrested by the law enforcers. A policeman was injured.
Ali Zaidi, President PTI Karachi, in a statement condemned the MQM workers' attack on his party's central camp. "We are going to register FIR against the elements involved in this assault," he said. The MQM workers/supporters including women and children gathered at Jinnah Ground as the news flashed on local TV channels that Kanwar Naveed was leading in the contest. The workers chanted slogans in favour of their party and distributed sweets among each other.
Earlier, PTI candidate Imran Ismail announced that he would accept the results and congratulate MQM if it won. Meanwhile, Jamat-e-Islami (JI) and Pasban Pakistan expressed their reservations over polling staff's impartiality. They accused ECP of not introducing biometric system to benefit MQM. They alleged that most of the officials were brought from government departments such as Pakistan Steel Mills, Karachi Port Trust (KPT), and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) etc.
The Sindh Rangers arrested two individuals including a presiding officer trying to cast bogus votes at Dehli Government Boys School. Ranges spokesman said that the arrested persons were identified as Syed Majid Ali, presiding officer (PO) and Rehan Ahmad, a voter. Syed Majid Ali has been sentenced three months in jail and with Rs 5000 fine, whereas Rehan Ahmad has been awarded six months' imprisonment and Rs 5000 fine. It is pertinent to mention here that sentence was awarded by Rangers using their magisterial power conferred by Election Commission of Pakistan.
Some 270 CCTV cameras were installed at the polling stations and the paramilitary Rangers and police were also deployed to maintain the law and order during the by-polls. ECP had given powers of first class magistrate to the POs. Voters cast their vote by showing their original identity cards (ID). The photocopies of ID cards were not accepted; however the voters having expired CNICs were allowed to cast vote. Sindh government, in order to facilitate the voters, lifted ban on pillion riding in the constituency. All schools, offices and markets located in the constituency remained closed.
Around 12:30 pm, a presiding officer at Sultan Muhamad Agha Khan polling station told Business Recorder that polling was started 40 minutes late. The PTI failed to depute its polling agent at the station till 1:00pm whereas the poling agents of MQM and JI were there.
The PTI polling camps were presenting deserted look as none of the party workers was present inside the camps. Only stockpiles of empty chairs and banners were found there. Three polling camps were set up by PTI in the surroundings of MQM headquarters, 90. Meanwhile, due to absence of electricity, voting process in FC area, Hajiani School Ghareebabad, and Apwa College station was reportedly suspended for some time. It may be mentioned here that KE was asked by the ECP to provide uninterrupted load shedding in the constituency on the election day.