Daily Times

KARACHI: Election feaver is gaing momentum as date for the by-elections on National Assembly’s seat, NA-258 Malir, scheduled for November 24, is coming near. The seat has been declared vacant following the resignation of Hakeem Baloch, who was elected on the PML N ticket, has recently crossed over to join PPP.

A total of 16 candidates are taking part in the polls. Hakeem Baloch is once again contesting but from the PPP side while other candidates fielded by parties include Hanif Bangash of PTI, while Feroz Langah and Niaz Jokhio are also contesting polls independently.

According to the locals both independent candidates enjoy considerable public support, and are in a position to can give tough time to PPP candidate. On the other hand the competing candidate of PPP and its supporters are persuading them to withdraw in favor of Hakeem Baluch, which is also highly likely following the joining Jam Abdul Karim son of Jam Bijar Khan, chief of Jokhio tribe into PPP.

According to sources PPP has started lobbying for uncontested win. In this regard party leaders have started efforts to make other candidates withdraw.

In the 2013 general elections Abdul Hakeem Baloch was declared the winner with 52751 votes, PPP’s Raja Razzaq secured 36329 votes, independent candidate Jam Abdul Karim Jokhio got 29948 votes. But these three contesters are now in PPP’s camp which, according to political analysts which gives PPP a clear edge over other contestants.

According to Election Commission the total registered votes in NA 258 are 410,000, and for the by-elections 27 candidates had submitted their forms out of which 11 have withdrawn.