ISLAMABAD: The by-election in PP-52 Sialkot-IX witnessed a decline in voter turnout and a significant increase in the margin of victory, according to a report by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). Despite isolated procedural irregularities, including an incident involving police intervention during the counting process, the election process continued largely peacefully.
The voter turnout dropped from 50 percent in the general elections of 2024 to 45 percent, yet the winning margin surged from 8,535 votes to 39,684. The Provisional Consolidated Statement of the Results of Count was finalized at 1:15 a.m., well within the legal deadline.
FAFEN observers noted persistent occurrences of illegal campaigning near polling stations and violations related to voter identification and ballot processing. At Polling Station No. 169, police disrupted the counting by removing party agents and observers and seizing election materials, preventing FAFEN from obtaining the result copy for the by-election.
Chaudhry Arshad Javed Warraich of PML-N, whose demise necessitated the by-election, had previously won the seat with a margin of 8,535 votes. In this election, 15 candidates contested, including three women. PML-N’s candidate, the daughter of the deceased lawmaker, saw the party’s vote share rise from 41 percent to 59 percent.
FAFEN deployed ten observers to monitor the election at 39 of the 185 polling stations. Observations indicated that 79 percent of these stations had campaign activities nearby, and 85 percent displayed candidate banners or flags. Irregularities included party-supported transport for voters and pre-marked ballot papers.
Most polling officers adhered to procedures, but some skipped announcing voter names, potentially affecting transparency. Despite these issues, the ballot counting process was orderly, though some polling agents did not receive necessary documentation.
Training discrepancies were noted among polling staff, with some reporting inadequate preparation. However, most polling agents expressed satisfaction with the process, reflecting a general approval of the election administration.
Accessibility was generally good, with wheelchair ramps at 67 percent of observed stations and preferential treatment for persons with disabilities and elderly voters.
FAFEN’s analysis highlighted non-compliance with the Elections Act, 2017, regarding the number of voters per polling booth and station, suggesting the need for infrastructure adjustments to accommodate the electorate effectively.