Unofficial results: MQM makes its mark in NA-246

The overall polling process remained peaceful throughout the day, however minor untoward incidents occurred with Rangers arresting five miscreants from different polling stations on charges of disrupting the environment.

Click here for live detailed coverage of the polling: NA-246 by-election: Polling ends, unofficial results start pouring in

A total of 213 polling stations were established in the constituency. Closed circuit cameras were also installed and law enforcement personnel deployed in and outside the polling stations.

MQM’s Kanwar Naveed Jameel, PTI’s Imran Ismail and Rashid Naseem of Jamaat-e-Islami werethe key contestants in the by-poll among total 11 candidates vying for the seat.

—LIVE UPDATES—

11:56pm – According to unofficial and unconfirmed results of all the polling stations in NA-246, MQM’s Kunwar Naveed Jamil has swept the by-polls with 93,122 votes to his credit, followed by PTI’s Ismail with 16,932 votes.

11:45pm – PTI’s Mazari blasts MQM over Karimabad unrest, labels it [MQM] a ‘Nazi party’.

MQM is Pakistan’s equivalent of Nazi party. Appeasement brought them to power. Let us not make that mistake.

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) April 23, 2015

Shameful behaviour by MQM attacking PTI office, ripping our flexes and flag! Such fascist behaviour after a relatively peaceful election. — Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) April 23, 2015

11:26pm – First official result from polling station no. 194 suggests MQM’s Jamil to be leading with 522 votes, followed by Imran Ismail with 64 votes, ECP announces.

First official result asserts MQM’s lead in NA-246 by-election

10:40pm – MQM’s Jamil spearheads NA-246 race with 54,873 votes, Ismail and Naseem follow with 13118 and 6191 votes respectively.

10:00pm – Celebrations underway at Jinnah Ground, Azizbad marking party’s win in the much-heated by-election today, with party loyalists and enthusiasts pouring in from all over Karachi.

9:35pm – According to unofficial results from nearly a hundred polling stations in NA-246, Jamil widens the gap with 41,248 votes polled in his favor.

8:50pm – MQM Raabita Committee members Farooq Sattar, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and others reach Karimabad to defuse the tensed situation.

8:47pm – Violent masses said to be MQM supporters continue to clash with law enforcers in Karimabad; journalist, two cameramen and a cop injured.

8:38pm – JI Karachi chief Naeemur Rahman says result not acceptable for the voter lists were not duly updated, nor the polls held under a biometric system.

8:29pm – MQM’s Jamil stands out with 22,042 votes, Ismail and Naseem follow with 7266 and 5249 votes in their bags.

7:59pm – A cop was injured, while 15 suspects were apprehended for causing unrest in Karimabad, however law and order was subsequently restored in the vicinity.

7:37pm – Kunwar Naveed Jamil strengthens his lead with 10,070 votes followed by Imran Ismail and Rashid Naseem who secured 3580 and 2774 votes respectively.

7:30pm – Police once again baton charge enraged masses in Karimabad, several held for disrupting law and order.

7:28pm – Stones pelted at the convoy of SP Central Nauman Siddiqui in Karimabad, multiple police vehicles damaged partially.

7:24pm – MQM chief Altaf Hussain asks workers to celebrate the NA-246 win and to respect political opponents as well.

7:10pm – ARY News cameraman Shehzad Memon injured in Karimabad unrest.

7:05pm – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Shireen Mazari in her tweet slammed MQM supporters for their violent attitude following the conclusion of polling process in NA-246:

Shameful behaviour by MQM attacking PTI office, ripping our flexes and flag! Such fascist behaviour after a relatively peaceful election.

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) April 23, 2015

6:57pm – Paramilitary personnel baton charge mob, clearing the way and pushing raged workers to other side of the road below Karimabad flyover.

6:55pm – In view of worsening situation in the vicinity, a heavy contingent of Rangers arrives to bring situation under control.

6:50pm – Imran Ismail expresses concerns regarding safe return of nearly 40 PTI workers from Karimabad and requests the authorities to make sure that no loss of life takes place.

6:39pm – PTI’s Imran Ismail makes it to the second slot in the run by securing 1523 against Rashid Naseem 1453, MQM’s Jamil consolidates his lead with 5552 votes.

6:36pm – Police rescues stranded PTI activists from their election office inside a building in Karimabad and send them away.

6:33pm – MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari advises workers to calm down and not to engage in any violence.

6:30pm – Police baton charges violent activists to avoid any untoward incident, while reports of aerial firing to disperse the mob are also pouring in.

6:29pm – Raged workers and supporters of MQM set PTI flag ablaze in Karimabad, while the PTI workers have been besieged inside their office.

6:27pm – Jamil’s votes increase to 3660 as per the unofficial results, while Rashid Naseem bags 1056 votes. PTI’s Imran Ismail gains 847 votes.

6:20pm – MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari arrives in Karimabad, rejoices with supporters over initial victory.

6:04pm – Cheerful MQM activists come face to face with PTI workers in Karimabad and chant slogans against each other, however police contingents manage to keep situation under control.

Cheerful MQM activists reach Karimabad in form of rallies

5: 56pm – Kunwar Naveed Jamil continues to lead the by-polls with 3078 votes, while Rashid Naseem and Imran Ismail have so far bagged 784 and 685 votes respectively.

5:30pm – According to unofficial and unconfirmed results from polling station no. 112 Govt City College Moosa Colony, MQM’s Kunwar Naveed Jamil is heading the by-polls by securing 780 votes.

5:30pm – Jamaat e Islami’s Rashid Naseem secured 110 votes, while Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Imran Ismail managed the third slot by bagging the remaining votes from NA-246.