RAWALPINDI, Dec 30: The additional district and sessions judge, Shehzad Pervez Abbasi, has allotted election symbols to the candidates contesting the by-polls from NA-56 constituency.

The names of the candidates and their election symbols are Sheikh Rashid Shafique (bicycle), Mohammad Hanif Abbasi (book), Mohammad Yousaf Mirza (arrow) and Malik Naseer Ahmed (star).

Sardar Shaukat Hayat and Agha Riazul Islam, who had contested the general elections from NA-55 and NA-56 respectively on PPP tickets, will now take part in the by-polls as independent candidates after the PPP nominated Mohammad Yousaf Mirza as its candidate.

Sardar Shaukat Hayat was allotted aeroplane, while Agha Riazul Islam was given the symbol of eagle.

According to reports, owing to the denial of party ticket, both Mr Hayat and Mr Islam did not attend the emergency meeting called on Sunday by the PPP secretary-general, Raja Pervez Ashraf.

Amir Kiani, who contested the general elections on Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf’s ticket, would contest the by-polls as an independent candidate and has been allotted the symbol of hockey.

Meanwhile, Mr Abbasi has also asked the authorities concerned to arrange 559 polling booths in the constituency for the January 15 by-elections.

There will be 302 booths for men and 257 for women. Each polling booth will have a presiding and an assistant presiding officer each, while 104 class-four government servants would be deputed to help the staff at the women polling booths.