JACOBABAD, Dec 14: By-election for NA-210 Kashmore will be held on Monday as per schedule despite announcement on Sunday of withdrawal from the race by a Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam candidate who was the only contestant for the seat against PPP’s Gul Mohammad Jakhrani.

Reports said that the additional sessions judge Qamaruddin Abbasi told the two contestants when they approached him after reaching an agreement that despite their decision not to oppose each other election would go ahead according to schedule.

The judge said that law said that cancellation of nomination papers or withdrawal from the elections should be made at least 72 hours before the polls day. Since 72 hours had already passed, the election would go ahead on Monday, he said.

The seat fell vacant after sudden death of Mir Nasrullah Bijarani who died of heart failure on Oct 13 during a session of National Assembly.