By-Polls in NA-61 Chakwal Constituency Halted Amid High-Stakes Campaigning

Strategic Insights -

High-stakes campaigning for the by-polls in the NA-61 Chakwal constituency has been put on hold after the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindibench issued a stay order. The seat had fallen vacant after PML-N MNA Sardar Faiz Muhammad Tamman resigned, and several candidates, including Tamman and Pakistan Awami Group Chairman Sardar Zulfiqar Dulha, are vying for the National Assembly seat. The PML-N is expected to have a strong grip in the constituency, but the PPP may not field a candidate directly against it due to the Charter of Democracy signed between the two parties. However, PPP might covertly support another party or an independent candidate.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench has issued a stay order against holding by-polls in the NA-61 Chakwal constituency due to a petition filed by former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.
  • Several candidates, including Sardar Faiz Muhammad Tamman and Sardar Zulfiqar Dulha, are running campaignsto secure party tickets from major political parties.
  • The PML-N is expected to have a strong grip in the constituency, but the PPP might not field a candidate directly against it.
  • Pakistan Awami Group Chairman Sardar Zulfiqar Dulha held a public meeting at Chaman Samsal in Talagang, where influential Samsal clan members announced their support for him.
  • Malik Khaki Jan, a notable clan member, emphasized that the people of the area expect their representatives to raise their issues in parliament.
  • Political pundits believe the campaigning is an effort to keep the electioneering momentum going and to pave the way to muster maximum support for a party ticket.

Statistics:

  • Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi filed a petition requesting the election tribunal to decide on his appeal before the by-polls.
  • Sardar Faiz Muhammad Tamman resigned from the NA-61 seat, citing the Punjab government's apathy towards the problems faced by people in his constituency.
  • August 25 was fixed as the polling day for the by-polls in the NA-61 constituency.
  • Pakistan Awami Group Chairman Sardar Zulfiqar Dulha's public meeting at Chaman Samsal in Talagang drew notable support from influential Samsal clan members.
  • 75% of the Samsal clan announced their support for Sardar Zulfiqar Dulha in the by-polls.

Sources:

  • Staff Report, "By-polls in NA-61 Chakwal constituency halted amid high-stakes campaigning", ISLAMABAD, August 25, 2023, Dawn News.