Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Saba Talpur emerged victorious in the NA-213 (Umerkot-I) by-election, defeating independent candidate Lal Chand Malhi, who was backed by PTI, GDA, and the Sindh Darya Bachao Committee Movement.
According to unofficial results from 448 out of 498 polling stations, Talpur secured 148,965 votes, while Malhi received 74,515 votes. The seat had fallen vacant after the death of her husband, former MNA Nawab Yousuf Talpur.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari thanked the people of Umerkot for their support, calling the result a win for democracy and a testament to the public's trust in PPP. He lauded the hard work of party workers and expressed confidence that Saba Talpur would uphold the legacy of public service.
Polling was held peacefully from 8am to 5pm at 498 stations, with 91 deemed highly sensitive. A total of 608,957 voters were registered, including 321,686 men and 287,311 women.
However, the election was marred by allegations of rigging. Lal Chand Malhi claimed irregularities at multiple polling stations, including the issuance of multiple ballot papers to PPP voters. In response to one incident, the Election Commission confirmed that PPP’s UC chairman was removed from a polling station for violating election rules.
Tensions also escalated when a personal staff member of MPA Nawab Taimur Talpur assaulted a journalist outside a polling station, an incident that went viral on social media. In Kunri Tehsil, polling was briefly halted due to a clash between polling agents.
After the initial results, Malhi staged a sit-in outside the District Returning Officer's office, accusing the Sindh government of using state machinery to manipulate the outcome. He criticized the Election Commission for not deploying Rangers despite a formal request.
Meanwhile, PPP filed a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that PTI and GDA workers attacked PPP supporters during polling.
Bilawal urged supporters to join a celebration rally in Hyderabad, saying Umerkot had shown its loyalty to the PPP and Hyderabad would echo the same message.
