ISLAMABAD, Feb 26: The Election Commission has de-notified the election of Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif as a member of the Punjab Assembly from PP-48, Bhakkar II, and declared the seat vacant.

The notification was issued in pursuance of the Supreme Court verdict which declared Shahbaz Sharif as ineligible to continue as member of the provincial assembly.

An official of the election commission said that notification of staying the bye-election in NA-123, Lahore-VI, had also been called back because of the judgment.

The official said it was difficult to give a schedule for bye-elections for the Bhakkar and Lahore constituencies and hinted that polls might not take place till the governor’s rule remained in force in the province.

Mr Nawaz Sharif was to contest for a National Assembly seat from NA-123, Lahore, and because of his disqualification the party has decided to field his wife Kulsoom Nawaz as its candidate.