Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate Nadeem Khan Khayal has won the by-election on the vacant seat of NA-33 Hangu, according to unofficial results shared by the country’s top electoral body on Monday.

As per the Form 47 the Election Commission of Pakistan, PTI’s Nadeem bagged 20,772 votes, followed by JUI-F leader Ubaidullah (18,244), Awami National Party’s Saeed Umar, independent candidate Ateeq Ahmed (256), and another independent candidate Muhammad Saeed (25).

Around 318,919 – including 180,543 men and 138,976 women – is the total number of voters in the NA-33 seat. However, 43,148 people – including 34,303 men and 8,845 women – exercised their right of voting.

“42,611 is the total number of votes cast in the right manner whereas 537 votes were rejected. 13.53 per cent if the rate of votes cast,” it read.

The ECP had established a control room in the Provincial Election Commissioner’s office in Peshawar to monitor and address complaints regarding the by-poll.

Earlier the polling began at 8am and continued until 5pm without any pause.

The NA-33 seat fell vacant after the death of PTI’s Haji Khayal Khan because of cancer. And, the PTI has given the party ticket to Khayal’s son Nadeem Khayal Orakzai for the coveted seat. A strong contest is expected between Nadeem and JUI-F’s Mufti Ubaidullah.

Around 77 polling stations – out of the total 210 – have been declared sensitive, according to sources. The Election Commission of Pakistan had called up police and the FC personnel to maintain the law and order situation in the district. Moreover, they had also installed CCTV cameras at the polling booths.

In a telephonic conversation on Friday, Chief Election Commission Sikander Sultan Raja directed the staff involved in the election process to ensure that the by-poll was conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

“All voters must be provided a peaceful environment,” he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the ECP on Twitter.

“Interference in by-poll will not be tolerated at any cost and immediate and legal action should be taken in view of any violation in the election process,” it read.

The commissioner added that the country’s top electoral body would take action if any official or staff were found involved in violating the election process. He added that a report would also be sought on the incident.

He urged the people to exercise their right to vote.