ISLAMABAD: Polling has begun for by-elections in 13 constituencies of Pakistan’s National Assembly and Punjab Assembly, with security forces placed on high alert to ensure peaceful voting.
The electoral process began at 8:00 AM and will continue uninterrupted until 5:00 PM across all designated polling stations.
Voting is underway in Haripur, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sargodha, Mianwali, and Muzaffargarh, where citizens are casting their ballots for their preferred candidates.
According to the Election Commission, 2,792 polling stations have been set up, of which 408 have been declared highly sensitive and 1,032 as sensitive. Over 20,000 security personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order.
NA-18 Haripur
In NA-18 Haripur, nine candidates are contesting the by-poll. A tough contest is expected between PTI-backed independent candidate Shehrnaz, PML-N’s Babar Nawaz Khan, and PPP’s Erum Fatima.
The seat fell vacant following the disqualification of PTI’s Omar Ayub after his conviction in the May 9 case.
NA-96
In NA-96, 16 candidates including those from PML-N, PPP, and independent contenders are in the race. The constituency has 372,133 male and 272,991 female registered voters.
NA-104
Five candidates are contesting NA-104, including PML-N’s Raja Danial and independent candidate Rana Adnan Javed. A total of 557,637 voters are registered to cast their ballots in this constituency.
NA-129
A close contest is expected among PML-N’s Hafiz Muhammad Nauman, and independent candidates Bajash Khan Niazi and Arsalan Ahmed. The seat was vacated after the death of Mian Azhar. A total of 334 polling stations have been established, including 70 joint stations for both men and women.
NA-143
NA-143, Sahiwal’s third-largest constituency, is expected to witness a fierce contest between PML-N and a PTI-backed candidate. The constituency has 584,698 registered voters.
NA-185
An intense three-way race is anticipated among PML-N, PPP, and JUI candidates.
Meanwhile, in NA-66 Wazirabad, PML-N’s Bilal Farooq Tarar has already been elected unopposed after PPP and all other candidates withdrew following the allotment of election symbols.
PP-87 Mianwali-III
In Punjab Assembly constituency PP-87, 193 polling stations and 640 polling booths have been set up, including 332 male and 308 female booths. There are 283,272 registered voters, while 66 stations have been declared sensitive.
Around 1,500 police officers and personnel have been stationed in the Kandian area, with Pakistan Army assisting local law enforcement.
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