NAROWAL: The by-election is set to take place on Sunday (today) in PP-52, Sialkot-IX, where 296,563 voters are eligible to cast their votes.

The seat fell vacant following the death of PML-N MPA Chaudhry Muhammad Arshad Warraich. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has scheduled polling for June 1 to fill the seat.

Hina Arshad Warraich is contesting the by-election on the PML-N ticket with full party and government backing. Her main challenger is PTI-backed independent candidate Fakhr Nishat Ghuman. Other candidates in the race include PPP’s Raheel Kamran Cheema and TLP’s Muhammad Shafqat.

All candidates have actively campaigned, making promises to improve roads, streets, and sewerage system, as well as create job opportunities for voters.

A tight contest is expected between Ms Warraich and Mr Ghuman.

The constituency has 157,492 male voters and 139,071 female voters.

The ECP has set up 185 polling stations, including 11 declared sensitive (Category A), 38 in Category B, and 136 in Category C.

Sialkot District Police Officer Faisal Shahzad said foolproof security arrangements have been made, and 2,091 police personnel would be deployed for election duty.

A control room has been established to monitor the by-election and CCTV cameras have been installed at sensitive polling stations. Polling will run continuously from 8am to 5pm.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2025