PTI leader Hammad Azhar has raised serious concerns ahead of Sunday’s NA-129 by election in Lahore, claiming that several presiding officers did not receive Form 45 in their election kits provided by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). He called it a “major violation” of the electoral process and urged strict vigilance.
The by poll is being held after the seat fell vacant in July following the death of Hammad’s father, Mian Azhar.
In a post on X, Hammad said reports were coming in that multiple presiding officers had been handed incomplete election material. He reminded PTI polling agents that when election bags are opened in the morning, they must ensure Forms 45 and 46 are blank and presented to them. “This is extremely important,” he stressed.
He further instructed polling agents to remain present throughout polling and counting, ensuring ballot boxes stay within sight at all times. He said every agent has the legal right to receive a filled Form 45 according to the vote count and warned that any attempt to block this is punishable by law.
Hammad also directed PTI workers at polling camps to stay at their stations after voting ends and peacefully accompany the presiding officer to the returning officer’s office.
Under the Elections Act 2017, candidates can appoint multiple polling agents at each station to observe the process.
In another message, Hammad addressed presiding officers directly, urging them not to bow to pressure or participate in any “illegal act.” He alleged that some officials were being threatened by people “seeking immunity and settling their families abroad,” warning that such individuals would leave others to face consequences alone.
The NA-129 seat has become a high-stakes contest. The PTI-backed candidate is Chaudhry Arsalan Ahmad, nephew of the late Mian Azhar, as Hammad himself remains absconding in several cases. PML-N has again fielded Hafiz Mian Nauman, who lost to Mian Azhar by over 30,000 votes in 2024.
PTI has accused the Punjab government of attempting to influence the by-poll in favour of Nauman. Yesterday, Hammad claimed that Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) officials had been appointed as presiding officers a move he said was linked to Nauman’s previous role as chairman of the Lesco board. However, Lesco’s CEO Ramzan Butt denied the allegations and said the ECP alone made the appointments.
Tensions rose further when local police were filmed removing banners of the PTI-backed candidate, echoing similar scenes from the 2024 general election.
Like last year, Arsalan Ahmad is contesting as an independent candidate with the “geyser” symbol, as PTI’s “bat” remains revoked.
