Polling underway as PML-N, PTI-backed candidates face tough contests in key by-elections

Polling is underway for by-elections on six National Assembly and seven Punjab Assembly seats.

Voting began at 8am and will continue until 5pm, during which voters will cast ballots in favour of their preferred candidates. Election materials were delivered to relevant centres in Haripur, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sargodha, Mianwali and Muzaffargarh last night.

According to the administration, a total of 2,792 polling stations have been set up, including 408 declared highly sensitive and 1,032 sensitive. More than 20,000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure law and order.

In NA-18 Haripur, nine candidates are contesting. A tough contest is expected among PTI-backed independent candidate Shehrnaz, PML-N’s Babar Nawaz Khan and PPP’s Iram Fatima. The seat fell vacant after PTI’s Omar Ayub was disqualified following his conviction in a May 9 case.

In Faisalabad’s NA-96 constituency, sixteen candidates are in the race. PML-N’s Talal Badar Chaudhry is facing 15 independent contenders. The seat was vacated after the disqualification of PTI’s Rai Haider Ali Kharal.

In NA-104 Faisalabad, the contest is between PML-N’s Raja Daniyal and four independent candidates. This seat fell vacant after Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Hamid Raza was convicted in a May 9-related case.

In NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan, eight candidates are competing. A close fight is expected between PML-N’s Mehmood Qadir Laghari and PPP’s Sardar Dost Muhammad Khosa. The seat was vacated due to the disqualification of PTI’s Zartaj Gul following her conviction in a May 9 case.