CHAKWAL: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Haider Sultan has won the by-election in PP-20 Chakwal-I by bagging 75,655 votes, unofficial and unconfirmed results from all polling stations suggested late Tuesday.

Sultan was followed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) nominee Tariq Afzal, who could secure 45,702 votes.

The Punjab Assembly seat fell vacant following the death of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Liaquat Ali Khan.

The process of voting started at 8am and continued until 5pm on Tuesday.

The by-election was seen as a test for the ruling party as the constituency has long been a PML-N stronghold, while it was also expected to serve as a curtain-raiser for the general elections later this year.

Maryam hails 'people's verdict'

In her response over the PML-N's victory, Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former premier Nawaz Sharif, said, "The one favoured by the Almighty and the people cannot be eliminated by anyone."

"The court of the people once again announced its verdict as to who qualifies and who does not! All the conspirators together could not face the PML-N," she said in a series of tweets, after announcement of unofficial and unconfirmed results from all polling stations in PP-20 Chakwal-1.

"The will of the people is like a stream of running water, it carves its own way, cutting through any obstacle that comes in its way!" she said further.

"We bow our heads in gratitude to Allah for bestowing yet another victory upon us & humbly thank the people of Chakwal."

This was Sultan's first attempt at a provincial assembly seat, however, his family has held the PP-20 seat since 1985, losing it only once in the 2002 elections. 

Meanwhile, PTI?s Afzal contested an MPA seat for the first time, but he also had support from the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Awami Tehreek. 

The constituency has a total of 279,530 registered voters, for whom 227 polling stations were set up.

The constituency?s 279,530 voters will exercise their right in the by-poll till 5pm, for which 227 polling stations have been set up-Geo News

Speaking to media earlier, DPO Haroon Joya said that over 1,200 police personnel were deployed for security duty, with officials of Rangers on standby. 

He added that 51 polling stations were declared sensitive. 

Rangers and police have been deployed at the polling stations to ensure security.

Previously, the Election Commission of Pakistan had issued a notice to Sultan for violating the rules by holding a public gathering, despite the end of the election campaign.

Heads of both the PML-N and PTI  held rallies in the constituency ahead of the by-election.

PTI chief Imran Khan addressed a rally on January 6 while PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif addressed a gathering of tribal elders in Chakwal on January 8.