A member of PTI told Business Recorder on Wednesday that while his party has announced its support for Dogar yet the party would not appoint its polling agents. "It's Dogar's responsibility to nominate polling agents of his choice to preempt any likelihood of vote rigging," he said, adding that it is the duty of the election commission to ensure complete transparency in the by-election. An official of Election Commission of Pakistan told Business Recorder that all arrangements for NA-149 by-election have been finalised with deployment of electoral staff and security officials in the constituency.
Hashmi won the NA-149 seat in 2008 general elections on a PML-N ticket; he emerged victorious on the same seat in 2013 elections as a PTI candidate. Dogar, who had previously won on the PPP ticket, is now backed by PTI. The ECP official said that a total of 285 polling stations and 770 polling booths have been set up for polling while 105 polling stations have been declared sensitive by law enforcement agencies.
According to the ECP, a total of 18 candidates are contesting for the seat. They include Bota Sarfraz, Javed Hashmi, Chaudhry Abdullah Mio, Hakeem Sheikh Moin-ud-Din Qureshi, Muhammad Javed Siddiqui, Raja Hussain Muhammad Qureshi Hashmi, Rashid Jamal, Rana Saleem Ahmed, Rana Muhammad Faraz Noon, Shiekh Muhammad Tahir Rasheed, Fiaz Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Anwar Khan Niazi, Muhammad Rafique Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Shakeel Butt, Muhammad Latif Ansar Sial, Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar and Malik Muhammad Yousaf Bhatti.
According to ECP spokesperson, an order for deployment of Rangers has already been given on the request of the district administration; thus, army deployment is not necessary. "We have made all necessary arrangements to keep the polls transparent," he said, adding that district administration would ensure fool-proof security for the candidates and electorate. The ECP has also distributed the necessary items for the polls. These articles include ballot boxes, electoral lists, stamps and stamp pads. All the needed material has arrived at the Government Emerson College, Multan. Meanwhile, District Co-ordination Officer (DCO) has announced holiday and imposition of Section144 in the city for October 16.