Umerkot (Web Desk): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Saba Talpur secured a sweeping victory in the NA-213 Umerkot by-election.
According to unofficial results released on Friday, Lal Chand Malhi—an independent candidate backed by the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and other opposition groups—finished in second place.
The by-election, held on Thursday, began promptly at 8am and continued without interruption until 5pm.
A total of 18 candidates were in the running, with the primary contest shaping up between PPP’s Saba Talpur and Lal Chand Malhi.
Unofficial and unverified results from all 498 polling stations indicated that Saba Talpur garnered 164,788 votes, while Lal Chand Malhi received 81,247 votes.
The seat became vacant after the death of PPP stalwart Nawab Yousuf Talpur. In the wake of the results, Lal Chand Malhi rejected the outcome, staging a sit-in outside the office of the District Returning Officer (DRO).
The announcement of the results also sparked unrest, with angry supporters blocking roads by burning tires and calling for a strike in protest.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari lauded the party’s victory, attributing it to the dedication and efforts of the party’s workers. He described Saba Talpur’s win as a reflection of the people’s trust and a reaffirmation of democratic values, announcing that celebrations would be held in Hyderabad to mark the occasion.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also extended his congratulations to Talpur, stating that the people of Umerkot had once again demonstrated their faith in the PPP, calling the peaceful conduct and outcome of the election a win for democracy and the people.