KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Muhammad Abu Bakar has won the NA-240 by-polls in Karachi, according to unofficial results. He defeated Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’ (TLP) Shahzada Shahbaz by the slimmest of margins.

The by-poll was marred by controversy, with violent clashes between rival political parties and claims of ballot tampering and casting of bogus votes. Later in the evening, with TLP having a slight advantage over the MQM-P candidate and unofficial results from only a handful of polling stations left, there were reports of a result transmission system (RTS) malfunction.

According to unofficial data, the turnout was 8.38%. As per ECP rules, if the number of women voters are less than 10% of the total votes cast in the constituency, it can order a re-election.

Unofficial, unverified results

So far, unofficial and unverified results from 309 out of 309 polling stations have come in. The latest positions are:

• MQM-P’s Muhammad Abu Bakar gets back in pole position with 10,683 votes.
• TLP candidate Shahzada Shahbaz falls behind at the very end with 10,561 votes (308 polling stations)
• Mohajir Qaumi Movement (formerly MQM-Haqiqi) candidate Syed Rafiuddin still third with 8.277 votes (308 polling stations)
• PPP’s Nasir Rahim is fourth having bagged 4,886 votes so far. (308 polling stations)
• PSP’s Shabbir Kaimkhani is fifth on the leaderboard with 4,573 votes. (308 polling stations)

Day of violence

A 60-year-old man, identified as PSP activist Saifuddin, was shot dead in clashes between members of rival political parties during polling for the NA-240 by-polls in Karachi on Thursday. Pak Sarzameen Party leader Iftikhar Alam was shot twice, TLP says its chief Saad Rizvi escaped unhurt but several others were injured while MQM-P says several of its workers were injured following heavy gunfire and clashes in the area.**

Meanwhile, vote tampering were also reported with at least one ballot box compromised and several polling stations witnessing violence. The ECP has taken notice of the violence and sought a report. Voting for the by-poll ended at 5pm with counting underway for the seat vacated after the death of MQM-P lawmaker Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan. The polls witnessed a low turnout with many attributing it to MQM-London leader’s call for boycott. It must be noted that the by-polls are on a weekday, which is known to adversely affect voter turnout, particularly in low-income areas like Landhi and Korangi where the by-elections are taking place.

Ballot boxes compromised amid rigging claims

Videos being shared on social media and by workers of political parties show already stamped votes, with the voice in the video claiming that they were in favour of one particular political party. In another video, part of a ballot box can be seen damaged.

Earlier in the day, violence broke out in Landhi No 51/2 with PSP workers accusing other party activists of casting “bogus” votes.

It resulted in the suspension of voting in at least one booth. PSP workers claimed (and this was not immediately verifiable) that the presiding officer brought the ballot box out at Landhi Gosht Market polling station.

RTS failure

With results from only a handful of polling stations left, there was a malfunction reported in the Result Transmission System (RTS).

It led to a quick reproach from the TLP who said that any attempt to influence the results of the election ‘in the dark of the night’ would not be acceptabe. “We will announce our plan of action if we are robbed of our right,” said the party’s spokesperson.

In the previous election, multiple parties had claimed that RTS malfunction was used as a pretext to engineering elecoral results.

Violent clashes, low turnout

The MQM-P, the PSP and the TLP say their workers have been injured after they were shot at by members of rival political parties.

A video being shared on social media shows PSP leader Iftikhar Alam with a bloodied shirt as he recieves medical attention.

The party said that he was shot twice during an attack that left several other party workers injured as well. In another video, people can be seen accosting Mustafa Kamal, the PSP chief.

According to PSP leader Arshad Vohra, the man killed in the gunfire was his party worker.

Party President and co-founder Anis Kaimkhani, speaking to a local news channel, said that the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan was responsible for the worker’s death.

He said his vehicle was also shot at while accusing TLP workers of the attack.

“I want to make it very clear to the Labbaik (TLP) people. You don’t know us. This isn’t Lahore. This is Karachi. You can move around the city because of us. Now see if you can move around the city.”

MQM-P says says three of its workers are in serious condition. A clash was reported between workers of the MQM-P and the Pak Sarzameen Party at the Union Council-23 Landhi outside the polling station at the Govt Boys Primary School, Ansari Muhalla.

Another clash was reported in Landhi where the TLP said that their leader was attacked, while another one was injured.

At least six people were reported injured after being attacked by sticks and batons.

Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Executive Director Shahid Rasool confirmed that one body was brought to the hospital. He said nine injured have also been shifted to the hospital. One of them is a gunshot victim. The remaining eight are assault victims and in stable condition.

TLP Amir Saad Rizvi was on his way to Landhi Number 6, when workers from the PSP fired at the vehicle, the party claimed. Three TLP workers were shot but are believed to be out of danger.

Law-enforcement have made several arrests but sporadic violence including gunfire continues to be reported from different areas of the constituency.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken notice of the incident and instructed law enforcement to arrest those involved in aerial firing and brawls with presiding officers.

About the constituency

At least half a million registered voters are expected to cast their votes in the NA-240 by-polls, a constituency of Karachi’s Korangi.

The population of NA-240 (Korangi Karachi II) is 853,973 according to the 2017 census. The number of registered voters is 529,855 (294,385 men and 235,470 women).

The Election Commission of Pakistan has set up at least 309 polling stations and 1,236 polling booths for the by-poll. The commission declared 203 polling stations “highly sensitive” and 106 “sensitive”.

The candidates

Out of the 25 candidates for the seat, the main contenders are Mohajir Qaumi Movement’s (formerly MQM-H) Muhammad Rafiuddin, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Muhammad Abu Bakar, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) Shahzada Shahbaz and Pakistan Peoples Party’s Nasir Rahim.

At least 18 independent candidates are taking part in the by-poll, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Jamat-e-Islami are not contesting. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz withdrew its candidate in favour of the PPP days before the by-election.

The seat fell vacant upon the death of MQM-P’s Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan in April. He won the seat in the 2018’s general election by securing 61,165 votes.