KARACHI: The counting of votes is currently underway after polling for the NA-245 seat in Karachi, which fell vacant after the death of Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain in June, ended.

Election Commission has received the results from 244 polling stations on the RMS system so far.

As per unofficial results of 244 polling stations, PTI’s Mehmood Maulvi is leading with 27,633 votes, MQM-P’s Mueed Anwar in second with 11,844 votes, TLP’s Muhammed Ahmed Raza with 8,706 votes, Farooq Sattar has secured 3,169 and PSP’s Syed Hafeezud Din in last position with 866 votes.

Earlier, polling began at 8am and continued till 5pm without any interruption. Slow turnout was seen in many constituencies, Aaj News reported. Load shedding was also reported in polling station number 167 of Garden East. The ECP has set up as many as 263 polling stations, out of which 60 are declared sensitive and 203 most sensitive.

A strong contest was expected between PTI and MQM-P in a by-election on the NA-245 constituency today (Sunday).

Liaquat was elected on the PTI ticket in the 2018 general elections after defeating MQM-P’s former leader Dr Sattar by bagging 56,673 votes against his 35,429 votes. The by-election was scheduled to be held on July 27, however, the Election Commission of Pakistan had to postpone it due to torrential rains.

NA-245 details

• 515,003 voters including 274,987 male and 240,016 female
• There are 263 polling stations including 18 male, 18 female and 227 combined
• 1,052 polling booths

List of candidates

Jamshed Quarters and Ferozabad sub-divisions that include PECHS, Lines Area, Pakistan Quarters, Soldier Bazaar, New Town, Patel Para, Garden West, Martin Quarters, Teen Hatti and PIB Colony are the areas of the constituency where polling would be held.

More to follow