KARACHI, Oct 22: With the withdrawal of three candidates, 16 candidates are left in the run for a provincial assembly seat (PS-21) in Naushahro Feroze, where by-elections are going to be held on Nov 17.

The Sindh Assembly seat had fallen vacant following the disqualification of Pakistan People’s Party lawmaker Dr Ahmad Ali Shah, for possessing dual citizenship.

On Oct 18, which was the last date of withdrawal of nomination papers, Comrade Rafique Abbasi of the PPP, Rahim Bux Khoso of the PPP-Shaheed Bhutto and independent candidate Maqsood Ali Khushk took back their papers.

Now Syed Sarfraz Shah of the PPP, Syed Abrar Shah of the National People’s Party, Maulana Abdul Aleem Ghanghro of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) and 13 independent candidates were in the run, said district returning officer Sain Bakhsh Channar.

According to the election schedule, polling will be held on Nov 17.

The candidates could hold public meetings at places notified by the authorities, but no candidate was allowed to take out a rally anywhere in the constituency.