Umerkot By-Election: Saba Talpur Secures Victory with Over 148,000 Votes

  • Saba Talpur triumphs in Umerkot by-election, garnering over 148,000 votes.
  • Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah affirms the win showcases trust in PPP’s leadership.
  • Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is urged to address reported incidents of attacks on PPP workers.

HYDERABAD/KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari conveyed his sincere appreciation to the residents of Umerkot for their decision to elect Saba Talpur of the PPP in the NA-213 (Umerkot-I) by-election that took place on Thursday.

Based on preliminary, unofficial results from 448 out of 498 polling stations, Talpur obtained 148,965 votes, surpassing her competitor Lal Malhi, who received 74,515 votes. The vote counting operation proceeded late into the night at the District Returning Officer’s office.

Bilawal acknowledged the victory of the female candidate as a noteworthy occasion in Umerkot’s political landscape. In celebration of the win, he declared, “Thank you, Umerkot! You have once again demonstrated that ‘Mir jo, no Peer jo – Vote Benazir jo’.”

He further elaborated that Saba Talpur’s triumph extends beyond a personal achievement; it signifies a victory for the voters of NA-213, underscoring the public’s confidence in the PPP and honoring the essence of democracy. He added that the inhabitants of NA-213 have conveyed a powerful message, highlighting the political awareness of Sindh’s people and their rejection of opportunists.

Bilawal extended his congratulations to Saba Talpur, expressing his hope that she would fulfill the expectations of her constituents and continue the legacy of public service established by former MNA Nawab Yousuf Talpur.

He also commended the committed PPP workers in NA-213, who dedicated themselves tirelessly over recent weeks to ensure the success of the party’s candidate.

Bilawal encouraged the public to convene in Hyderabad today, April 18, to commemorate the victory. He asserted, “Today, Umerkot has revealed to the world where the people’s support lies — and tomorrow, Hyderabad will demonstrate that the people stand resolutely with the PPP.”

The total count of registered voters in NA-213 Umerkot amounts to 608,957, comprising 321,686 men and 287,311 women. A network of 498 polling stations was established for voters, featuring 302 combined stations, 98 exclusively for men, and 98 exclusively for women. Among these, 91 polling stations were designated as highly sensitive, 269 as sensitive, and 169 as normal.

The by-election’s polling process proceeded without interruptions from 8am to 5pm. According to the chief election commissioner of Sindh, voting commenced punctually at all 498 polling stations and continued harmoniously throughout the day.

The NA-213 Umerkot seat was left vacant due to the passing of Nawab Yousuf Talpur. Form 33 indicates that ballot papers were printed for 18 candidates.

On Thursday, the primary contest featured Saba Talpur, the widow of Nawab Yousuf Talpur, and independent candidate Lal Chand Malhi, supported by the PTI, GDA, and the Sindh Darya Bachao Committee Movement. Umar Jan Sarhindi of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan also participated in the race.

During the polling period, Lal Chand Malhi addressed the media, alleging that irregularities were occurring at the Ibrahim Rind polling station.

In response, the spokesperson for the Sindh Election Commission released a clarifying statement, confirming that the presiding officer had instructed the removal of PPP Union Council Chairman Amir Hasan Khaskheli from the polling station. Law enforcement promptly acted and escorted the chairman out of the premises.

Concurrently, at the polling station located in Qazi Sultan Higher Secondary School in Kunri, supporters and polling agents of independent candidate Lal Chand Malhi voiced accusations of electoral manipulation, asserting that PPP voters were receiving two ballot papers each.

In Umerkot, a member of MPA Nawab Taimur Talpur’s staff became enraged and physically assaulted a journalist from a private TV channel for filming a dispute outside a polling station. The video depicting the assault rapidly circulated online. Following the assault, the staff member also confiscated the journalist’s mobile phone.

In the Basti area of Kunri Tehsil, Umerkot, the polling process experienced a temporary suspension due to an altercation between agents. Subsequent to 5pm, the counting procedure was initiated under the supervision of the presiding officers.

Following the release of initial results, independent candidate Lal Chand Malhi organized a sit-in protest outside the District Returning Officer’s office to express his grievances.

He conveyed to the media that governmental resources had been unfairly utilized against him and that the Election Commission appeared powerless in the face of the Sindh government.

He stated that the Sindh Election Commission had requested the deployment of Rangers for the by-election, but this recommendation was disregarded. He declared, “I am protesting so that the entire country can witness and understand the manner in which the PPP engages in rigging in Sindh.”

Separately, the PPP submitted a letter to the ECP addressing alleged attacks on its Jiyalas in Umerkot by PTI and GDA workers.

Officials confirmed that the letter was composed by Syed Waqar Mehdi, the general secretary of the PPP-Parliamentarians in Sindh, and directed to the ECP regarding assaults on supporters during the by-election at Polling Station No. 49, Government High School, Pithoro.

The PPP election cell informed the ECP that its supporters were attacked by individuals associated with the GDA and PTI candidate Lal Chand Malhi.

The letter stated that several Jiyalas sustained injuries in the attack and were admitted to Civil Hospital. It was also suggested that the purpose of the attack was to disrupt the vote counting process.

The letter addressed to the chief election commissioner in Islamabad stated: “With due respect, it is submitted that a violent attack on workers and supporters of Pakistan Peoples Party by opponents belonging to GDA/PTI occurred outside Polling Station 261 (G.B.P.S Jamal Makhrani Municipal Umarkot), resulting in injuries to numerous PPP workers and supporters with the intent to disrupt the election’s smooth proceedings, potentially leading to serious law and order concerns and constituting a grave violation of the Election Act 2017. Your esteemed Honour is requested to take strict action in accordance with the law to ensure free, fair, and impartial elections.”

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also congratulated Saba Talpur on her significant lead in the elections. “I extend my congratulations to all the workers, PPP leadership, and the people of Umerkot.”

The Chief Minister remarked that the people of Umerkot had reaffirmed their complete trust in the PPP, with this victory symbolizing public service, transparent governance, and confidence in the party’s leadership.

He added that this success stems from the people’s trust, belief in democracy, and the relentless efforts of the workers. He emphasized the PPP’s commitment to public service and called for collective efforts towards the development of the province and the country.

CM Shah stated that the triumph of the democratic process truly represents a victory for the people. He affirmed that under the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the PPP is dedicated to promoting the welfare of the people throughout Sindh, with this success serving as a testament to public confidence.

Shazia Marri, the spokesperson for the PPP-Parliamentarians, conveyed her congratulations to the PPP leadership and voters in NA-213 Umerkot on the party candidate’s triumph in the by-election held in the constituency.

She noted that voters had demonstrated their confidence in the PPP by voting for the party’s candidate, Saba Talpur, in the by-election.

She stated that the candidate jointly supported by the opposition parties was defeated by the courageous residents of Sindh, adding that the people of Sindh have once again rejected the GDA and PTI.

Marri asserted that the residents of Sindh view the PPP as their genuine representative party, while other political entities are considered political orphans. She highlighted the special bond between the people of Sindh and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the Bhutto family.

Marri recalled the PPP’s consistent service to the people of Sindh, emphasizing the party’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights of Sindh’s inhabitants.

She affirmed that the party has consistently fought to protect these rights, whether the issue pertains to water or the development rights of the people, and that the PPP leadership and public representatives have stood alongside the people during every natural disaster, including torrential rains and floods.