Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has said that public interest remained low in Sunday’s by-elections as the results were not expected to change the overall political situation.

Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, he said the by-elections were held peacefully, adding that turnout is generally low in such elections.

He thanked the governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for their cooperation.

Sikandar Sultan Raja said there were several reasons for the low turnout, but a key factor was that the by-elections were not expected to alter parliamentary strength, which reduced voter interest.

Responding to a question, he said the Election Commission took action without discrimination against those who violated the code of conduct.

The CEC noted that district returning officers had submitted several reports, and the Commission also took suo motu notice of some complaints.

He added that no major irregularities were reported on polling day.

Raja confirmed that Minister of State Senator Talal Chaudhry had been summoned for a hearing on Monday regarding a code-of-conduct violation.

He recalled that in local government elections, a candidate was disqualified for a similar breach.

The chief election commissioner said that every process follows a legal framework and that violations of election rules occur worldwide.

He added that the Election Commission continued to send its recommendations to the government from time to time, but does not have the authority to issue directions to election tribunals.