SUKKUR: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Barrister Asfandyar Kharal has won the by-election for PS-30 Khairpur-V, securing 48,986 votes, according to unofficial results. Independent candidate Syed Tasawar Mehadi trailed far behind with only 1,299 votes.
The voter turnout remained significantly low at approximately 20.53 percent, with female voter participation being particularly sparse.
PPP MNA Dr Mahreen Bhutto cast her vote at a polling station in Gambat and expressed confidence in the democratic process, stating that the PPP believes in democracy and that voters had exercised their right in its favour.
In the 2024 general elections, the late PPP candidate Naeem Ahmed Kharal had secured 57,000 votes, while GDA candidate Advocate Khalid Ahmed Shaikh received 26,713 votes. This time, the GDA did not field a candidate against PPP’s Barrister Asfandyar Khan Kharal.
The overall election process remained peaceful, though minor clashes were reported at three polling stations, which were promptly brought under control by police.
Polling for the PS-30 Khairpur by-election began on time across the constituency. According to the District Returning Officer (DRO), a total of 254,980 registered voters—133,037 male and 121,943 female—were eligible to vote. He further said that 164 polling stations had been established, including 53 for men, 52 for women and 59 combined, with 16 temporary stations set up to handle any emergencies. A total of 592 polling booths were arranged, including 302 for men and 290 for women.
Security arrangements were stringent: 64 polling stations were declared highly sensitive, 68 sensitive, and 32 normal. Rangers were deployed at entry and exit points across the constituency to maintain law & order.
The PS-30 seat fell vacant after the death of PPP MPA Naeem Ahmed Kharal. A total of four candidates contested the by-election. DRO Abdul Wahid Baloch stated that the polling process was conducted freely, fairly and peacefully, with no untoward incidents reported from any station. He added that the Election Commission’s code of conduct was strictly enforced, while the administration and security agencies took effective measures to ensure peace and order.
Khairpur Deputy Commissioner Altaf Ahmed Chachar and SSP Captain (retd) Ameer Saud Magsi also visited various polling stations to oversee the process.
