Polling for by-election in National Assembly constituency NA-213 began today, with election materials delivered early in the morning to ensure smooth proceedings.
The polling will continue without interruption until 5 pm, as 18 candidates, including prominent figures from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), vie for the seat left vacant following the death of PPP leader Nawab Yousaf Talpur.
Among the contenders, PPP’s Saba Talpur, widow of the late Nawab Yousaf Talpur and mother of provincial legislator Taimur Talpur, is facing a stiff challenge from Lal Chand Malhi, the GDA-backed candidate and former member of the National Assembly.
Malhi, who had previously served on a reserved seat in the 2018 elections, is expected to give Talpur a tough fight, with the backing of the GDA solidifying his position.
The by-election has drawn significant attention, with observers noting a particularly intense contest between the PPP and Malhi’s camp. The late Nawab Yousaf Talpur had secured a commanding victory in the 2018 general elections, garnering 175,162 votes. His nearest rival, Mir Amanullah Talpur of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), trailed with 44,061 votes.
Malhi, despite his strong showing, managed third place with 37,958 votes. The results of this by-election will be seen as a referendum on the political dynamics in the region.
The constituency has a total of 498 polling stations, with 269 classified as sensitive and 91 marked as highly sensitive. This has raised concerns about potential security risks, prompting authorities to deploy additional personnel at polling stations to ensure a peaceful process. Voter turnout is expected to be significant, with 699,010 registered voters in the constituency.
In light of the by-election, the Umerkot district has been declared a holiday, allowing residents to cast their votes without work-related distractions.
