Polling for the NA-213 by-election commenced today in Pakistan’s National Assembly constituency, drawing attention from political observers across the country. The election is being held to fill the seat left vacant after the passing of senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Nawab Yousaf Talpur.
The election material was distributed early this morning, ensuring that all 498 polling stations were prepared before the polling began. Voting is scheduled to continue uninterrupted until 5 PM. With 18 candidates in the fray, the contest is primarily focused on the PPP’s Saba Talpur and Lal Chand Malhi, who is backed by the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA).
Saba Talpur, widow of the late Nawab Yousaf Talpur and mother of current provincial assembly member Taimur Talpur, is aiming to retain her late husband’s political legacy. Her key opponent, Lal Chand Malhi, a former MNA who previously held a reserved seat in the 2018 general elections, is widely considered a strong challenger due to the full support of the GDA.
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The constituency witnessed a clear PPP dominance in the 2018 general elections when Nawab Yousaf Talpur secured a sweeping victory with 175,162 votes. His closest rival, Mir Amanullah Talpur of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), garnered just 44,061 votes, while Lal Chand Malhi finished third with 37,958 votes.
This by-election is being closely watched as a litmus test for the current political climate in the region. Analysts consider it a high-stakes contest that could shape future electoral strategies for both the PPP and the GDA.
Security has been ramped up significantly, with 269 polling stations classified as sensitive and 91 marked as highly sensitive. Authorities have deployed additional law enforcement personnel to ensure a peaceful and fair electoral process. A total of 699,010 voters are registered in the constituency, and a high turnout is anticipated.
To facilitate the election process, the Umerkot district has been declared a public holiday, enabling residents to participate in the voting without workplace obligations.
