All set to witness by-poll for 22 seats tomorrow

The election campaign for the by-elections in approximately 24 National and provincial assembly seats concluded, with preparations finalized for the first significant by-polls following the 2024 general elections on April 21st (Sunday).

A high-ranking official from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) informed news media that the campaign wrapped up at midnight between April 19th and 20th.

The commission has stated that there will be by-elections for five National Assembly seats, 12 for the Punjab Assembly, two each for the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan assemblies, and one for the Sindh Assembly.

Furthermore, re-elections in the entire PB-50 (Killa Abdullah) constituency are also scheduled for the same day. The general elections for NA-8, Bajaur, and PK-22, Bajaur were delayed due to the assassination of candidate Rehan Zeb Khan.

NA-44, Dera Ismail Khan, became vacant when Ali Amin Gandapur chose to keep his provisional assembly seat and take on the role of KP’s chief minister. Likewise, NA-119, Lahore, was left vacant by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who instead became an MPA from PP-159.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif won elections for two National Assembly and two provincial legislature seats. He relinquished his NA-132, Kasur, along with PP-158 and PP-164 seats in Lahore, only keeping the NA-123, Lahore seat.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari secured two National Assembly seats, holding onto the NA-194, Larkana seat and vacating the NA-196, Qamber Shahdadkot seat. PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari gave up NA-207, Shaheed Benazirabad, to become the President of Pakistan. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Mr. Zardari’s daughter, was elected without opposition for the seat her father vacated.