PTI leader Asad Umar has accused the PPP-led Sindh government of using state machinery to rig bye-elections, which began in 11 constituencies – eight of the National Assembly and three of the Punjab Assembly – on Sunday.

“The government machinery was being used in [Karachi]’s Malir,” he told reporters after a visit to the PTI Markaz Election Control Centre in Islamabad. “Arms are being displayed and fighting is reported in Malir constituency, special branch people and government people are there to influence the election.”

The bye-polls are being held in three provinces – Punjab, where three seats of national and three of the provincial assembly are vacant; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where it is being held for three NA seats, and Sindh, where candidates are competing for two NA seats.

Former premier Imran is contesting elections on seven out of eight NA constituencies. A total of 101 candidates from different political parties and independents are taking part in the vote: 52 in Punjab, 33 in Sindh, and 16 in KP.

Imran, who has described the by-polls as a referendum, urged the people to vote. He added that the PTI was fighting against the multi-party confab and the ECP

“This is a referendum for Haqiqi Azadi from the cabal of crooks. We are contesting against all of PDM, the Election Commission and ‘namaloom afraad’,” he said in a tweet.

Umar said: “Victory is the fate of Imran Khan. If free and fair elections are held, the PTI will get 2/3 majority and Imran’s vote will be present in every nook and cranny of the country.”

He claimed that the people have come out for “real freedom”, a phrase of his party to oust the incumbent government which they claimed was “imported and slave”.

“The whole nation is watching today’s by-election,” he said.

The PTI leader accused Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah of violating the election code of conduct.

Umar slammed the incumbent government for hours-long load-shedding, adding that the country has “7,000 to 8,000” more electricity than required.

“The government could not even buy gases. The reality is different from what appears behind the backdoor,” he said.