PPP Celebrates Victory in Umerkot By-Election

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari conveyed his sincere appreciation to the residents of Umerkot for choosing PPP’s Saba Talpur in the NA-213 (Umerkot-I) by-election that took place on Thursday.

According to preliminary results from 448 out of 498 polling stations, Talpur received 148,965 votes, surpassing her competitor Lal Malhi, who garnered 74,515 votes. The vote tabulation extended late into the night at the District Returning Officer’s office.

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

He stated that Saba Talpur’s victory represents not just a personal achievement but a win for NA-213 voters, affirming public confidence in the PPP and celebrating democracy. He added that the people of NA-213 have conveyed a compelling message indicating that Sindh’s populace is politically astute and rejects opportunists.

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

He also commended the committed PPP workers in NA-213, acknowledging their hard work over recent weeks to ensure the party’s candidate’s success.

Bilawal encouraged supporters to gather in Hyderabad today (April 18) to commemorate the victory. He said, “Today, Umerkot has revealed where the people’s allegiance lies, and tomorrow, Hyderabad will confirm that the people firmly support the PPP.”

The NA-213 Umerkot constituency includes 608,957 registered voters, comprising 321,686 men and 287,311 women. For the voting process, 498 polling stations were established, including 302 combined stations, and 98 stations each for males and females. Among these, 91 were categorized as highly sensitive, 269 as sensitive, and 169 as normal.

The by-election’s polling occurred without disruption from 8 am to 5 pm. The Sindh chief election commissioner confirmed that voting commenced punctually at all 498 stations and continued harmoniously throughout the day.

The NA-213 Umerkot seat became available following the passing of Nawab Yousuf Talpur. As per Form 33, ballot papers were printed for 18 candidates.

The primary contest on Thursday was between Saba Talpur, the widow of Nawab Yousuf Talpur, and independent candidate Lal Chand Malhi, endorsed by the PTI, GDA, and the Sindh Darya Bachao Committee Movement. Umar Jan Sarhindi of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan also participated.

During the election, Lal Chand Malhi addressed the media, alleging irregularities at the Ibrahim Rind polling station.

The Sindh Election Commission’s spokesperson issued a press release stating that the presiding officer directed the removal of PPP Union Council Chairman Amir Hasan Khaskheli from the polling station. Police promptly acted to escort the chairman out.

Meanwhile, at the Qazi Sultan Higher Secondary School polling station in Kunri, supporters and polling agents of Lal Chand Malhi cited electoral fraud, asserting that PPP voters received multiple ballot papers.

In Umerkot, a personal aide to MPA Nawab Taimur Talpur reportedly assaulted a private TV journalist for filming a dispute outside a polling location. The incident’s video circulated widely. Following the assault, the lawmaker’s aide also seized the journalist’s phone.

In Kunri Tehsil’s Basti area, voting was briefly suspended due to a clash between party representatives. After 5 pm, the vote counting began under the supervision of the presiding officers.

Following the preliminary results, Lal Chand Malhi organized a protest outside the District Returning Officer’s office.

He told the media that state resources had been used unfairly against him and that the Election Commission appeared powerless against the Sindh government.

He noted that the Sindh Election Commission had requested the deployment of Rangers for the by-election, but the recommendation was ignored. “I am protesting to expose how the PPP conducts rigging in Sindh,” he declared.

The PPP has submitted a letter to the ECP alleging that PTI and GDA workers assaulted their Jiyalas in Umerkot.

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

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

The letter asserted that numerous Jiyalas suffered injuries in the assault and were taken to Civil Hospital. It was also claimed that the attack intended to disrupt the vote counting.

The letter addressed to the chief election commissioner in Islamabad stated that, a severe attack by opponents belonging to GDA/PTI against workers and supporters of the Pakistan Peoples Party outside Polling Station 261 (G.B.P.S Jamal Makhrani Municipal Umarkot) resulted in injuries, disrupting the election process and potentially causing a severe law and order situation, violating the Election Act 2017. The letter requested strict action to ensure free, fair, and impartial elections.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also congratulated Saba Talpur on her apparent victory. “I congratulate all the workers, PPP leadership, and the people of Umerkot.”

The CM noted that the people of Umerkot have reaffirmed their trust in the PPP, and this victory reflects public service, transparent politics, and confidence in the party’s leadership.

He added that success stems from the people’s trust, democratic values, and the hard work of party members. He affirmed the PPP’s commitment to public service and the collective effort required for the development of the province and the nation.

CM Shah emphasized that the triumph of the democratic process is ultimately a victory for the people. He affirmed that under Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s guidance, the PPP is dedicated to the welfare of Sindh’s residents, and this success exemplifies the public’s trust.

Shazia Marri, spokesperson for the PPP-Parliamentarians, congratulated the PPP leadership and voters in NA-213 Umerkot on their candidate’s victory in the constituency’s by-election.

She mentioned that voters have shown confidence in the PPP by supporting Saba Talpur in the by-election.

She added that the opposition’s joint candidate was defeated by the courageous people of Sindh, who have once again rejected the GDA and PTI.

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

Marri emphasized the PPP’s consistent service to the residents of Sindh and its unwavering commitment to defending their rights, whether concerning water issues or development rights. She affirmed that the PPP leadership and representatives have consistently supported the people during natural disasters, including heavy rains and floods.