Violence has marred the polling process in Lahore, Ferozewala and Zafarwal, as clashes erupted between rival political factions, resulting in the killing of one person and arrests and injuries to others.
A brawl broke out between workers of the PML-N and PTI workers in Zafarwal's constituency, PP-54, wherein a 60-year-old man was killed after a baton hit his head. As a result of the clashes, polling was briefly stopped at the Kot Naju polling station.
A 60-year-old man, said to be a PML-N worker, injured during the dispute, died in the hospital during treatment. Rescue sources said Muhammad Yousaf was hit with a wooden stick on his head.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari expressed condolences over the death of a PML-N worker. She remarked that the PTI thugs had shown their thuggery as usual, adding that the Punjab Police should immediately arrest the killers of party activist Muhammad Yousuf.
On the other hand, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal met with the family of the deceased PML-N worker and condoled over his death. "We will never tolerate the politics of bullying and violence," he declared, vowing that the culprits will be brought to justice soon.
The election commission issued a statement on the incident, claiming the clash between workers of political parties took place 200 meters away from the Kot Naju polling station and the accused were arrested by the police.
They said the polling process at Zafarwal's polling station No 33 Kot Naju was underway without interruption. "Workers of political parties should show patience and tolerance," said Punjab Election Commissioner Ijaz Anwar Chauhan.
Lahore
In Lahore's NA-119 constituency, tensions flared between workers of the Sunni Ittehad Council and the PML-N at Polling Station No. 171 near the University of Engineering and Technology (UET). The dispute reportedly centred around the set-up of a camp, escalating into a physical altercation.
Police arrested PTI workers from NA 119 Punjab! No0ne will be able to say that this is free & fair election! pic.twitter.com/d3Z4CWx3Oc
— Qazi Asif (@QMAAsif) April 21, 2024
Police intervened and arrested four individuals in connection with the incident. A heavy contingent of police reached outside the polling station along with officials of Elite Force. "All workers should show patience for a peaceful election," SP Dr. Abdul Hanan said.
Ferozewala
Meanwhile, in Ferozewala's PP-139 constituency, a confrontation between two groups outside the Government High School Nizampura turned violent, with gunfire being exchanged. Three people sustained injuries during the altercation.
Law enforcement authorities swiftly moved in, arresting two suspects and suspending the polling process at the affected polling station. However, later the polling process resumed after over three hours.
Also Read: By-elections: Polling kicks off for 21 seats of National, provincial assemblies
Sadiqabad
Workers of two political parties engaged in a clash outside the Mohib Shah polling station in PP-266 of Sadiqabad. During the clash, the windowpanes of a car parked nearby were shattered.
Police said polling was stopped for some time due to the incident, and the clashing workers were arrested.
Kasur
Supporters of the PML-N and Sunni Ittehad Council got into a physical brawl at polling station 311 in Khudian Khaas of NA-132 constituency here. The workers of both parties slapped each other for allegedly stopping women from casting their votes.
Police team reached the spot.
Wazirabad
During polling in PP-36 of Wazirabad's 185 polling stations, three people were arrested by the police over fears of disturbance of peace.
As workers of the PML-N and PTI got into a clash in the Ahmednagar area, the polling process was stopped, and the gate of the polling station was closed by the police. The clash reportedly broke out after PTI workers accused the presiding officer of rigging.
Alipur Chattha
A clash broke out at the Government Girls College Polling Station in Alipur Chattha, where workers and voters of the Sunni Ittehad Council got out of hand over voters being allowed to enter the polling station. The political workers attempted to forcefully open the gate of the polling station.
The clashes have raised concerns about the security and integrity of the electoral process in these areas. Both incidents have underscored the simmering tensions and rivalries that often characterize election days in the country.
Polling for by-elections in 21 constituencies of the National and provincial assemblies across the country was held from 8am to 5pm.
By-elections have been being held in five constituencies of the National Assembly and 16 seats of three provincial assemblies. At some polling stations, a large number of presence of voters is being reported, while some paint a deserted look even a couple of hours into the polling process.
