ISLAMABAD, Jan 12: The Election Commission on Sunday said that it has made all necessary arrangements for by-elections in 10 National Assembly and 19 provincial assemblies constituencies.

An announcement by the EC said that the holding of public meetings within the areas of constituencies where by-elections are scheduled to be held on Jan 15, shall come to an end on mid night of Jan 13 and 14.

The EC reminded of the political parties to keep in mind the requirements and consequences of Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act 1976.

The said sections demand that “no person shall convene, hold, or attend any public meeting and no person shall promote or join in any procession, within the areas of the constituency during a period of 48 hours ending at midnight following the conclusion of the poll for any election in that constituency.”

The section points out that any person who contravenes the provisions “shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to Rs1000 or with both.”

The NA seats on which by-elections are being held were vacated by Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Shaikh Rashid Ahmad, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Sardar Asif Nakai, Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, Arbab Abdur Rahim, Syed Sadrudin Shah, Ali Mohammad Mehr and Abdur Rauf Siddiqui.

From the seat vacated by Arbab Abdur Rahim, his cousin, has already been elected unopposed as Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians withdrew its candidate.

The political parties and contesting candidates are asked to adhere to the provisions of law and exercise restraint so that the by-elections are held in an orderly and peaceful atmosphere.