MULTAN: Voting for by-elections ended for two seats of the National Assembly and as many of the

Vote count continues
Updated at: 1713 PST, Saturday, May 15, 2010
Vote count continues MULTAN: Voting for by-elections ended for two seats of the National Assembly and as many of the Punjab Assembly in three cities of Punjab and counting of votes began, Geo News reported Saturday.

Results continue to pour in from different polling stations. Jamshed Dasti of PPP was leading from NA-178, followed by Nawabzada Iftikhar of PDP and Ghulam Mustafa Khar (Independent).

While, Samullah Leghari was leading from PP-259 followed by Basit Ahmed Sultan.

Opponents blaming each other for foul play at several places whereas situation became tense due to the presence of FC personnel at different polling stations in Vehari. Law Minister Punjab has announced to file a case against federal interior minister.

The polling ended at two National Assembly seats NA- 167 (Burewala) and NA-178 (Muzaffargarh) and two Punjab Assembly seats PP- 259 (Muzaffargarh) and PP-63 (Faisalabad).

Strict security measures were taken for the elections. Voting halted at a polling station in NA-178 (Muzaffargarh) due to firing and clash between supporters of PPP candidate Jamsheed Dasti and Pakistan Democratic Party candidate Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmad Khan. Nawabzada Iftikhar blamed that rumpus occurred after arrival of Jamsheed Dasti and his supporters who tortured his polling agents.

District Coordination Officer Mahmood Aslam Wazir said that Rangers were deployed at NA-178 and PP- 259 to avoid any untoward incident. Police have arrested six FC officials in Vehari whereas 20 FC officials were present at different polling stations. The arrested FC officials said DIG Inayatullah Farooqi deputed them.

Meanwhile, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said deployment of FC in by-elections of NA-167 was unconstitutional and vowed that a case will be registered against Rehman Malik because FC was deployed on the directives of interior minister.

Provincial law minister has demanded the prime minister to take immediate notice of the situation.

According to DIG FC Inayatullah Farooqi, FC personnel were deputed to guard federal ministers.