ECP Announces Timetable For By-Elections

Nearly two months following the February 8 general elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has released the timetable for by-polls in six National Assembly and 17 provincial assembly constituencies.

The by-polls, as per the schedule announced by the ECP on Tuesday, are scheduled for April 21. According to the notification, the by-polls will encompass six NA seats, 12 Punjab seats, two Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) seats, two Balochistan seats, and one Sindh seat.

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A total of 239 candidates are vying for positions in the upcoming by-elections, with 50 candidates contending for NA seats. Pakistan People’s Party leader Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari secured victory unopposed in the NA-207 constituency, while PPP leader Zubair Ahmed Junejo similarly emerged victorious without contest in the PS-80 Dadu constituency.

Subsequently, 23 candidates are competing for by-polls in KP Assembly seats, 154 candidates for Punjab Assembly seats, and 12 candidates for Balochistan Assembly seats.

The ECP spokesperson noted that polling material has been distributed to the provincial election commissioner, with all district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs) diligently executing their responsibilities in line with the by-polls’ schedule. Additionally, ballot paper printing has been ongoing since March 30.

The spokesperson emphasized that the commission is maintaining communication with the interior and defence ministries, as well as provincial law enforcement agencies (LEAs), to ensure peaceful conduct of the by-elections.