QUETTA: The Election Commission released the final list of candidates for by-election to a Baloch­istan Assembly constituency, PB-20 Pishin-III, on Tuesday.

This seat had fallen vacant after the death of Syed Fazal Agha of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) in May last year after he contracted coronavirus.

A total of 27 candidates, six of them belonging to various political parties, will take part in the by-election to be held on February 15.

The ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and the Awami National Party (ANP) are contesting the by-election.

The BAP has nominated Asmatullah Tareen to contest the election, while the ANP has fielded Syed Abdul Bari Agha.

The main contest is expected between Asmatullah Tareen and Syed Azizullah of the JUI-F.

Syed Jalil Ahmed of the Jamiat Nazriati, Rozi Khan of Jamaat-i-Islami and Syed Mohammad of Pakistan Rah-i-Haq Party are also contesting.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has declared its support to the JUI-F, while the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Peoples Party have yet to finalise their candidates.

The candidates have started elec­tion activities after the Elec­tion Commission rel­eased the final list of contestants.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2021