LAHORE: According to unofficial and unconfirmed results, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Begum Kulsoom Nawaz won the NA-120 by-election with a margin of 14,188 votes on Sunday.

Kulsoom bagged 61,254 votes to secure the National Assembly seat, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid stood runner-up with 47,066 votes.

Milli Muslim League candidate managed to get 4,174 votes, while Pakistan Peoples Party candidate got 2,520 votes.

The polling for the NA-120 by-election came to an end at its designated time amid stringent security measures and scattered incidents of confrontation between workers of the PML-N and the PTI.

As soon as time for the polling finished, senior PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique, through his Twitter account, on behalf of his party had requested the relevant authorities to extend the time of the polling as a large number of voters were queuing outside the polling stations.

“Voters should be given full right to cast their votes,” he said.

NA-120 seat had fallen vacant after former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification by the Supreme Court on July 28.

The polling for by-election in Lahore’s NA-120 constituency began at 8am and continued till 5pm without any break.

Read More: Nawaz accuses of rigging in NA-120 by-poll

As many as 44 contestants from various political parties including independent candidates contested for the National Assembly seat.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had printed at least 350,000 ballot papers for 321,786 registered voters in the constituency.

It was a fierce contest between candidates of the top rival parties in the constituency as both had termed it crucial.

Read: ECP installs CCTV cameras at polling stations ahead of crucial by-election

The constituency in Lahore’s heart comprises Islampura, Bilal, Gunj, Raj Garh, Riwaz Garden, Sanat Nagar, Ram Nagar, Dave Samaj Road, Sham Nagar, Sanda, Civil Secretariat, Prem Nagar, Momin Pura Kasurpura, Sanda, Muzang,  Kareem Park , Chauburji,  Khokhar Town and other areas.

Earlier, the ballot papers were dispatched to all 220 polling stations in the constituency under supervision of Pakistan Army. All polling stations were declared sensitive.

NA-120 in spotlight

The by-election campaign came to an end on Friday night. In absence of the ruling party’s candidate, ex-PM Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz spearheaded the by-election campaign for her mother.

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5:00pm: Polling for NA-120 by-election comes to an end.

4:50pm: Voters inside the polling stations would only be allowed to cast their votes after 5pm as by-poll in the constituency will come to an end by the time.

Top rival candidates could not cast votes 

4:38pm: As various contestants competed to grab National Assembly seat from NA-120 constituency of provincial capital, the top rival candidates Begum Kulsoom Nawaz and Dr Yasmin Rashid could not cast their votes in the by-election.

PML-N’s Begum Kulsoom Nawaz is out of country for her treatment while PTI’s Dr Yasmin Rashid’s vote is not registered in the constituency.

4:30pm: Half an hour left to an end to NA-120 by-poll, the competition still remains fierce between PTI and PML-N.

4:20pm: PTI leader Chaudhry Sarwar demands extension in polling timings while talking to media persons.

Additional ballot boxes arrive at Fatima Jinnah Medical College polling station

4:09pm: Additional ballot boxes were brought at Fatima Jinnah Medical College polling station. At least eight ballot boxes were brought at the polling station.

4:00pm: Voters turnout at various polling stations of NA-120 constituency gathers momentum as just an hour left to end of by-poll timings.

3:50pm: DG Rangers visits various polling stations in NA-120 constituency

PML-N lawmaker deletes her tweet after public uproar for insulting voters

3:40pm: The ruling party’s MPA – Hina Butt – deleted her tweet for apparently insulting voters of the constituency after being subjected to criticism for making such remarks.

Taking to twitter on historic by-election day, she said that NA-120 is the stronghold of the ruling party and PML-N’s victory in the constituency is imminent.

“People would vote to PML-N candidate either the party fields Begum Kulsoom Nawaz or her dog,” she said in a tweet on Sunday.

3:35pm: PPP’s candidate Faisal Mir visits polling station no 85.

As polling time nears end, workers chant slogans vigorously  

3:18pm: As polling time nears to an end, the party workers of PML-N and PTI come face to face and chant slogans against one another to demonstrate their support in favour of respective parties.

Similar scenes have been witnessed at Central Model School polling station in the constituency.

However, no clashes were reported as police and Punjab Rangers’ personnel reached the spot and dispersed the party workers.

3:01pm: PML-N workers and police personnel had a quarrel after the party workers were denied entry to a polling station in Bilal Ganj locality of the constituency.

ECP decides not to extend polling timings  

2:36pm: ECP decides not to extend the polling timing as it expresses satisfaction over ongoing uninterrupted polling at 220 polling stations in the constituency.

2:25pm: Voters talking to ARY News said that the ruling party has disappointed them  in resolving the prevalent civic issues in the constituency. “We have cast our votes to PTI this time,” they said.

No restrictions on media imposed by Army: ISPR 

2:02pm: Spokesperson Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) clarifies that the restriction on entry of media persons to polling stations has not been imposed by Pakistan Army, adding that the correspondents possessing ECP’s cards are being granted entry.

In a brief press release, the ISPR said: “Media having ECP accreditation card is visiting polling stations. No restrictions imposed by Army.”

1:48pm: ECP takes notice of restricting media coverage inside polling stations, establishes contact with the provincial election commissioner.

Rana Sanaullah assures action against people exhibiting weapon 

1:40pm:

Talking exclusively to ARY News, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that entrance of any unauthorised person other than voters to polling station has been prohibited for security concerns.

He said prompt action would be taken against any person exhibiting weapon in the constituency, adding, similar action would also be taken against security guards accompanying PML-N lawmaker Rana Mashood Khan if they found guilty.

1:28pm: Complaint of restricting media coverage inside polling stations have been lodged before the ECP.

To which, the commission responded that it has not imposed any restriction on media coverage inside polling stations in the constituency.

1:01pm: Glimpses of PTI and PML-N camps facilitating voters in the NA-120 constituency of the provincial capital.

Police disperse PML-N, PTI supporters to avoid possible confrontation

12: 25pm: The security personnel intervened a confrontation of PML-N and PTI supporters at Mozang polling station, who were chanting slogans in support of their respective parties.

The supporters and workers were dispersed to avoid any untoward incident during the polling.

12:17pm: The ruling party supporters violated ECP code of conducts after PML-N provincial lawmaker Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan was seen with armed guards at a polling station, despite imposition of ‘Section-144’ in the constituency.

NA-120 by-poll is to decide nation’s future course, says Imran Khan

11:43am: Calling upon the masses to vote for bat, PTI chief Imran Khan said NA-120 by-election today will decide future course of the nation and coming generations.

PML-N supporter injures minor boy after his car hits motorcycle 

11:39am: A motorist, believed to be PML-N supporter, hit a motorcycle near Fatima Jinnah Medical College. As result of the collision, the boy on the motorcycle received a foot fracture. The motorist was later rescued by the ruling party’s supporters.

Sheikh Rasheed anticipates tough competition between PML-N, PTI

11:30am: Talking to ARY News, Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rasheed termed NA-120 by-election highly significant event in aftermath of the Supreme Court’s landmark disqualification verdict. “The by-election would ultimately reflect the public sentiments.

Anticipating PTI’s victory, he said the competition would be tough with slim chances of PPP’s victory.

Active participation of women in NA-120 by-election

11:15am: According to our reporter, women voters in UC 50 (Shafiqabad) are more actively participating than men as both key candidates of PTI and PML-N are also women.

PPP candidate Faisal Mir takes swipe at ruling party and ECP

10:49am: Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) candidate Faisal Mir complained the ECP is not fulfilling its due responsibilities as the party polling agents were denied entry into polling stations for over an hour.

Talking to ARY News, he said that historic rigging is going to take place today.

10:40am: Voters talking to ARY News expressed satisfaction over security arrangements and proper management in all 220 polling stations of the constituency.

PML-N lawmaker Bilal Yasin optimistic for victory

10:30am: Talking to ARY News, PML-N MPA Bilal Yasin said that Lahore is the heart of Pakistan and NA-120 constituency is heart of the provincial capital.

Appearing optimistic, he said the masses would not disappoint the ruling party.

Without taking name of any political party, he said people across the country have been brought here to demonstrate artificial influence of a political party. “[However], it’s the people of constituency to cast their votes,” he added.

Yasin said he was denied entry into a polling station for accompanying his brothers. However, later he was permitted to go inside to cast his vote.

10:16am: The party supporters and workers of two arch-rival PTI and PML-N chanted slogans against one and another following Dr Yasmin Rashid’s visit to a polling station in NA-120. However, no clashes were reported.   

9:50am: After a slow beginning, polling in NA-120 is gradually gaining momentum.

WATCH: Bilal Yaseen quarrels with security personnel

9:37am: PML-N lawmaker quarrels with security personnel

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Police briefly bar entry of PML-N voter 

9:36am: A PML-N voter, Bilal Yaseen, briefly barred from entrance into a polling station by police personnel as his ward number was wrongly mentioned. The ruling party’s voter picked a quarrel with the personnel, asking them to remain concerned with security issues as the polling agents inside are there to indicate such errors.

9:26am: There are 142,144 women besides 179,642 men among 321,786 voters to cast their votes.

PTI satisfied with security arrangements 

9:08am: PTI’s candidate Dr Yasmeen Rashid visited two polling stations and expressed satisfaction over the security measures while talking to media persons.

Soliciting support for PTI, she said the masses must utilise their right to vote. “Your precious votes could only help electing true public representatives.

She also urged the police personnel to facilitate the people coming for polling.

8:49am: A female voter casts her cost at a polling station 119 and 120.

8:25am: Banners in Samnabad area have been taken down

8:00am: Polling begins in the constituency amid strict security measures. All the polling stations have been declared sensitive in the constituency.

ECP introduces biometric system for NA-120

Considered a PML-N stronghold, PTI’s Yasmeen Rashid, PPP’s Faisal Mir and PML-N’s Kulsoom Nawaz are being considered as top candidates.

In 2013 general elections, then PML-N chief, Nawaz Sharif secured 91,666 votes and beat rival PTI candidate Dr. Yasmeen Rashid by at least 39000 votes, a huge margin. While PPP’s Zubair Kardar could only manage to get 2604 votes from the constituency.