Beat tops of tables hearing result of by-election (5)

I believe the answer is:

throb

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'beat' is the definition.
(I know that throb is a type of beat)

'tops of tables hearing result of by-election' is the wordplay.
'tops of' says to take the initial letters.
'result of by-election' becomes 'rob' (this might be a standard abbreviation which I don't know about).
The first letters of 'tables hearing' is 'th'.
'th'+'rob'='THROB'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for throb that I've seen before include "One's heart may do it" , "Have strong or irregular heartbeat" , "Beat rhythmically" , "Pulse" , "Palpitate, quiver (with emotion)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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