The province, the most populous in the country, is considered the crown jewel of electoral politics in Pakistan.

The parties that claim to have the biggest following in Punjab — PML-N and PTI — are eyeing victory in this by-election not only because the winner gets to sit upon Takht-i-Lahore, it also determines the outcome of the next general elections.

But there is more at stake: today’s election will shape national politics for years to come.

So why are the bypolls in Punjab so important anyway?

Read our in-depth analysis here.