Rahim Yar Khan by-election: PPP’s Makhdoom Tahir Rashid Uddin wins big

RAHIM YAR KHAN: In a significant electoral victory, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has secured the National Assembly seat of NA-171 in Rahim Yar Khan, with its candidate Makhdoom Tahir Rashiduddin garnering 116,429 votes.

The PPP’s triumph surpasses that of its main rival, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), whose candidate Hassaan Mustafa secured 58,251 votes.

The by-election, held across 301 polling stations, saw a total of seven candidates vying for the seat, which was left vacant following the passing of PTI’s Mumtaz Mustafa in August.

The election was marked by intense competition between the PPP and PTI, with the former emerging victorious in a constituency that has historically been a stronghold of political rivalry.

The win is seen as a major boost for the PPP in the region, with party workers and supporters celebrating across the constituency.

However, the election was not without controversy, with reports of election code violations and irregularities. Videos surfaced on social media showing voters casting their ballots and taking photos inside polling booths, despite a ban on mobile phones.

Additionally, a political party’s camp was removed for violating election rules.

Moreover, to ensure a peaceful and secure election process, 2,700 police officers and personnel were deployed, and Section 144 was enforced, prohibiting large gatherings and processions.

Despite these efforts, some incidents of irregularity were reported, highlighting the need for continued vigilance in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.