Voting is currently underway in the Punjab Assembly for the Senate seat vacated after the disqualification of PTI leader Ejaz Chaudhry. Government-backed candidate Rana Sanaullah is emerging as the frontrunner.
Ejaz Chaudhry was disqualified following his conviction for damaging government property, military installations, and martyrs’ memorials during the PTI protests of May 9, 2023. He received a 10-year prison sentence, and the Election Commission revoked his membership in July 2025.
The opposition has nominated Chaudhry’s wife, Salma Ijaz, who has the support of 100 votes, including 73 from Sunni Ittehad Council, 24 from PTI, and one each from Tehreek-e-Labbaik, Muslim League Zia, and Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen. Despite this, the opposition has announced a boycott of the voting process.
The government alliance, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Iqbal Pakistan Party, and PML-Q, has nominated Rana Sanaullah. He enjoys the backing of 263 votes, comfortably above the 180 votes required to win.
Polling in the Punjab Assembly is taking place from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm under the supervision of the Election Commission. Of 363 active members, 129 votes have been cast so far. Voting is expected to continue without interruption until 4:00 pm.
Deputy Opposition Leader Moin Qureshi emphasized that PTI members should abstain from voting, warning that participation would violate party rules. Despite the boycott, Salma Ijaz’s nomination papers remain valid as the withdrawal period has expired.
The election is being closely watched, as it reflects the balance of power and political alliances within the Punjab Assembly amid growing political tensions.
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