LAHORE, SEPT 17 (DNA) – The polling for the NA-120 by-election came to an end at its designated time amid stringent security measures and scattered incidents of confrontation between workers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

According to the unofficial and unconfirmed results of more than 170 polling stations, PML-N candidate Kulsoom Nawaz is leading with big margin, followed by PTI candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid.

Senior PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique, through his Twitter account, on behalf of his party had requested the relevant authorities to extend the time of the polling as a large number of voters were queuing outside polling stations.

“Voters should be given full right to cast their votes,” he had said.

NA-120 seat had fallen vacant after former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification by the Supreme Court on July 28.

The polling for by-election in Lahore’s NA-120 constituency began at 8am and continued till 5pm without any break.

As many as 44 contestants from various political parties including independent candidates competed for the National Assembly seat.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had printed at least 350,000 ballot papers for 321,786 registered voters in the constituency.

The contest is likely to be fierce between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Begum Kulsoom Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s Dr Yasim Rashid.

The constituency in Lahore’s heart comprises Islampura, Bilal, Gunj, Raj Garh, Riwaz Garden, Sanat Nagar, Ram Nagar, Dave Samaj Road, Sham Nagar, Sanda, Civil Secretariat, Prem Nagar, Momin Pura Kasurpura, Sanda, Muzang,  Kareem Park , Chauburji,  Khokhar Town and other areas.

Earlier, the ballot papers were dispatched to all 220 polling stations in the constituency under supervision of Pakistan Army. All polling stations have been declared sensitive.

4:38pm: As various contestants competed to grab National Assembly seat from NA-120 constituency of provincial capital, the top rival candidates Begum Kulsoom Nawaz and Dr Yasmin Rashid could not cast their votes in the by-election.

PML-N’s Begum Kulsoom Nawaz is out of country for her treatment while PTI’s Dr Yasmin Rashid’s vote is not registered in the constituency.