LAHORE: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday reiterated its commitment to free, fair and transparent by-elections to 20 Punjab Assembly seats being held 14 districts on Sunday (today).
According to ECP data, as many as 175 candidates are contesting the by-elections for crucial Punjab Assembly seats.
The election campaign for by-polls ended at 12:00 midnight (night between Friday and Saturday) and voting is being on Sunday (today). By-elections are being held in 20 constituencies of Punjab Assembly including PP-7 Rawalpindi; PP-83, Khushab; PP-90 Bhakkar; PP-97 Faisalabad; PP-125, Jhang; PP-127, Jhang; PP-140 Sheikhupura;PP-158,Lahore;PP-167, Lahore; PP-168, Lahore; PP-170 Lahore; PP-202 Sahiwal; PP-217 Multan; PP-224, Lodhran;PP-228, Lodhran; PP-237, Bahawalnagar; PP-272- Muzaffargarh;PP-273 Muzaffargarh;PP-282, Layyah and PP-288 Dera Ghazi Khan.
The ECP has completed preparations for the by-polls. A total of 4.57 million registered voters, including 2.46 million women, will exercise their right to franchise to elect their representatives. A total of 3,131 polling stations, including 731 male, 700 female and 1700 combined polling stations have been established across the 20 constituencies.
A total of 9,562 polling booths have been set up for the by-polls. The ECP has declared 1,204 polling stations sensitive and 696 highly sensitive. Polling stations in Lahore and Multan have been declared sensitive.
The results of the by-polls would be essential for the CM vote count, ordered by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
PML-N needs to win a total of 9 seats in the by-elections to gain a majority to elect their Chief Minister in the biggest province of the country.
