ISLAMABAD: Contrary to the wishes of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the PTI government, holding the early Senate election has become impossible.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced by-elections for all the four provincial assemblies and national assembly seats. According to sources, Senate elections will not be held till the by-elections are held.

Senate elections will be possible only after the newly elected members take oath after the by-elections to the national and provincial assemblies. The by-elections in eight constituencies are likely to be held in February.

By-elections are to be held for two seats in the National Assembly and six seats in the Provincial Assemblies, including one in Balochistan Assembly, three in Sindh Assembly, each in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. One seat each from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is vacant for the National Assembly. By-elections could not be held in all constituencies due to the epidemic.

Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja while instructing the release of schedule for by-polls on eight vacant seats had said that implementation of anti-Corona SOPs should be ensured during the conduct of elections.