MULTAN, Pakistan: The senior politician Javed Hashmi has expressed hope that he would win the by-election in NA-149 Multan-II as he enjoys the support of people of his constituency.
Talking to media in Multan on Thursday, Javed Hashmi said that he will accept the election result with open heart, no matter in whose favour it comes.
Hashmi said that he expects higher turnout today as compared to 2013 elections. He further said that those who are using ‘dirty tactics’ will get a befitting reply today.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidate Amir Dogar said that he will join the PTI after victory.
Dogar said that the PPP voters too will support me, and alleged that there are reports that cash is being distributed by his opponents to buy votes.
Meanwhile, the polling is underway in the much anticipated by-election for NA-149 Multan which will continue till 5 in the evening.
There are three main candidates including Javed Hashmi, Javed Siddiqui and Amir Dogar for NA-149 by-election.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PTI) is supporting Javed Hashmi who is contesting the by-poll as an independent candidate while another independent candidate Amir Dogar has the active support of the PTI.
Javed Siddiqui is contesting the by-election on the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) ticket.
As many as 341,527 registered voters of the constituency are casting their votes at 286 polling stations and 778 polling booths set up by the election commission for the polling. The commission has declared 108 polling stations as sensitive.
Moreover, Rangers and police officials have also been deployed in order to avert any untoward incident and to ensure transparent and peaceful election.
The seat fell vacant after the resignation of the former President PTI Javed Hashmi on September 2.
