ISLAMABAD: A total of 239 candidates will be vying for 23 vacant seats in both national and provincial assemblies during the upcoming by-elections slated for April 21, a spokesman for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

A total of 50 of candidates are competing for vacant National Assembly seats, he said.

PPP’s Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari has already been elected unopposed from NA-207.

The spokesman said that a total of 23 candidates were vying for the vacant seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, while 154 candidates were seeking their fortunes in Punjab.

50 candidates vying for NA seats, 189 for provincial assemblies

In Sindh, Zubair Ahmed Junejo secured his seat unopposed from PS-80. Twelve contenders are in the running for the empty seats in the Balochistan Assembly.

The commission will commence printing the ballot papers for the by-elections upon finalisation of lists of candidates by the relevant returning officers on March 30, the spokesman added.

He said necessary election materials had been provided to the provincial election commissioners.

Additionally, district returning officers and returning officers are fulfilling their duties according to the established election schedule.

He said close coordination has been maintained by the commission with the ministries of interior and defence as well as provincial law enforcement agencies.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2024