The by-election of PP-23 entered into a decisive stage, election campaign gained momentum while the election commission has finalized all the arrangement to hold free and fair elections on 18th of April.
As per details, polling staff has been finalized for 199 polling stations that have been established for the poll.
Technically it is a fight between PML (N)’s candidate Shahryar Awan and PTI’s candidate Sultan Surkhru, who also has the backing of the PML (Q), the JI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).
Initially, the PPP also announced support to the PTI’s candidate but the recent big public meeting of PTI Chairman Imran Khan at village Tarhada, and Imran Khan lashing out on Asif Ali Zardari and other PPP’s leadership embarrassed the voters of PPP in this constituency.
Local leadership of PPP announced to boycott the 18th April polls; however, a final decision from the party high command is still in pending.
Imran Khan’s speech has made a big dent on the election campaign of Sultan Surkhru. Six other candidates from small parties and independent candidates were also contesting the election but it is likely that they would not be in a position to attract the attention of the voters in this constituency.
Former Federal Minister and Chairperson District Council Khusahb Sumaira Malik paid a stormy visit in the constituency and ex-MNA Sardar Faiz Tamman announced his joining PML (N) and also announced his support to Malik Shahryar Awan.
Ex-Naib Nazim of District Council Chakwal Sardar Amjad Ilyas, who was the candidate of PML(Q) in 2013 election and he bagged more than 46000 votes in that election, also announced his support to Malik Shahryar Awan.
Sultan Surkhru is also making hectic efforts and it is likely that a close and keen contest would be seen on 18th April, but Malik Shahryar Awan has an edge over Sultan Surkhru.
