PML-N, PMML Trade Barbs Over NA-77 By-Election
The PML-N and the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League traded barbs on Monday over the NA-77 Gujranwala by-election, a day after the ruling party won the seat. The NA-77 by-election row grew as the losing side rejected the result, alleged rigging and demanded a recount in 50 polling stations.
The PML-N won NA-77 in Gujranwala and PP-203 in Chichawatni in by-elections held on Sunday. According to unofficial results, PML-N candidate Rashid Bashir Virk secured 43,365 votes in NA-77, defeating Pakistan Markazi Muslim League candidate Ibrahim Gujjar, who bagged 30,218 votes.
The PTI, PPP and Jamaat-i-Islami did not field candidates. Voter turnout stood at 15.6 per cent. In PP-203, PML-N candidate Muhammad Asad Hanif Jutt won with 41,912 votes, defeating his closest rival, Muhammad Awais Mahmood of Tehreek-i-Ehsas Pakistan, who secured 25,106 votes.
PML-N questions PMML’s right to contest
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari criticised the PMML in a statement on Monday. She questioned how organisations declared proscribed by the state could change their names and openly take part in political activities.
The PMML is widely described as an offshoot of Jamaatud Dawa, founded by Hafiz Saeed, who has been in jail since 2019 in terror-financing cases. The party denies links with JuD or other proscribed organisations.
Ms Bokhari urged the Election Commission to take notice. She referred to videos she had shared on polling day that purportedly showed workers of one such organisation forcibly casting bogus votes in front of election staff.
“The narrative of violence and terrorism has lost, while the narrative of public service and performance has prevailed in Gujranwala and Chichawatni,” she said.
PMML rejects NA-77 by-election result and demands recount
The PMML rejected the NA-77 by-election result, alleging widespread rigging and violations of the election commission’s code of conduct. At a press conference, party leaders set out their case.
They claimed Ibrahim Gujjar had secured 25,377 votes across 283 polling stations, against 24,000 for Virk, and had therefore won. That count differs sharply from the unofficial results, which put Virk ahead by 13,147 votes.
“Thousands of ballot papers were missing and used at other polling stations. Punjab Police were used for political campaigning in favour of the PML-N candidate and for pressuring voters,” Mr Nadeem alleged.
He also alleged irregularities by election staff, including instances in which presiding officers had failed to obtain voters’ thumb impressions. Responding to a video shared by Ms Bokhari, Mr Nadeem claimed the individual shown in it was a presiding officer named Shahid, not a PMML worker, and said the party possessed an audio recording that could be submitted for forensic examination.
The party demanded a recount in 50 polling stations and action against those involved, and said it would pursue the matter before the election commission, courts and public forums.
Two tallies, one seat
The unofficial results put Virk on 43,365 votes and Gujjar on 30,218. The PMML’s own count puts Gujjar on 25,377 and Virk on 24,000.
The Form-47 consolidated statement, however, put the PP-203 figures at 42,114 votes for Jutt and 24,512 for Mahmood. The final notification from the election commission will settle the official figures for both seats.
The Election Commission has summoned federal minister Attaullah Tarar, Virk and others for a hearing on November 12, and has warned the NA-77 result could be withheld until it decides.
Our report on the by-election result carries the full Form-47 figures for both seats, while the PP-203 result is set out separately. Polling day itself passed largely peacefully, though the code of conduct notices were already in play before polling.
What happens next
For now, the PML-N holds both seats on unofficial results, and the PMML holds a rival count it says proves the opposite. Until the commission rules, the NA-77 result stays contested in public even though the votes have been counted.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the NA-77 by-election?
Unofficial results put PML-N candidate Rashid Bashir Virk on 43,365 votes, defeating PMML candidate Ibrahim Gujjar on 30,218.
Why does the PMML reject the result?
The PMML alleges rigging, missing ballot papers and police pressure. Its own count across 283 polling stations puts Gujjar ahead of Virk.
What is the PMML demanding?
The party has demanded a recount in 50 polling stations and action against those involved in electoral irregularities. It says it will pursue the matter before the election commission, courts and public forums.
What did Azma Bokhari say?
Azma Bokhari questioned how a proscribed organisation could change its name and contest elections, and urged the Election Commission to take notice.
Could the result be withheld?
Yes. The Election Commission has warned the result could be withheld until it decides on alleged code of conduct violations, with a hearing set for November 12.
