Counting of votes for the by-polls on a vacant seat of Chakwal, PP-23 is in progress.
According to unofficial results received from 138 polling stations, PML-N’s Shehryar Awan is leading by over 14, 000 votes by bagging 49, 142 votes. Sultan Surkhuru, who is a PTI candidate, is second with some 35, 028 votes.
TV footage shows PML-N workers have already started celebrating their victory.
A nail-biting competition is expected between the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for PP-23 Chakwal by-polls today (Tuesday).
The polling for the vacant seat of Punjab assembly started at 8:00 am and will continue till 5:00 pm without any formal break.
As many as eight candidates are in the run for the slot but a cut-throat contest is expected between Malik Sheharyar Awan of the PML-N and Sultan Surkhru of the PTI. The PML-Q, JI and PAT are supporting the PTI candidate whereas JUI-F is backing PML-N.
The PP-23 falls in the National Assembly constituency of NA-61 where PML-Q has a large following. Though Pervez Elahi lost this seat (NA-61) in 2013 general election to the PML-N but he secured 98,414 votes and so his support for PTI candidate can make.
The ECP has set up 199 polling stations while the Rangers will assist the district administration to maintain the law and order situation.
Both Imran Khan and Hamza Shahbaz had addressed the election meetings of their respective candidates. PTI stalwart Jahangir Tareen also actively participated in the rallies and tried to muster support for his party.
The seat fell vacant after the death of Malik Zahoor Anwar of the PML-N in February, who had won the 2013 general elections with the margin of more than 9,000 votes.
