ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's ruling coalition swept bye-polls in the country, that were marred by sporadic violence, with ex-premier Nawaz Sharif's PML-N party winning three parliamentary seats and its partner Pakistan People's Party (PPP) bagging the remaining two.
PML-N also won eight of the 23 provincial assembly seats that went to polls, while slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's PPP romped home in seven.
Bye-elections were held on Thursday for five seats in the National Assembly and 23 seats in four provincial assemblies.
The turnout was low and polling was marred by sporadic incidents of violence, especially in Punjab province.
More than 20 people were injured in clashes between rival groups of political workers, who fired in the air at several places.
Women were not allowed to vote in Mardan in the North West Frontier Province, while an assistant presiding officer was reportedly kidnapped by Pakistan People's Party activists.
According to unofficial results provided by the Election Commission, the PML-N won the three seats in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament from Punjab province, including two in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
PML-N chief Sharif's son-in-law Capt (retired) Muhammad Safdar bagged a seat in Rawalpindi.
Polling was postponed for a sixth parliamentary seat in the eastern city of Lahore because of legal wrangling over whether Sharif was eligible to contest.
The PPP bagged two National Assembly seats, one in Mardan and another at Okara in Punjab.
Of the 23 provincial assembly seats, the PML-N won eight, the PPP seven and the Awami National Party two while independent candidates bagged six seats.
