Vote counting is underway after polling concluded for by-elections in six National Assembly and seven Punjab Assembly constituencies on Sunday. Polling, which began at 8am, continued without interruption until the designated closing time of 5pm amid stringent security arrangements.
The seats fell vacant following the disqualification of several PTI-backed lawmakers in cases linked to the events of May 9.
Massive Security Deployment
According to Punjab Inspector General of Police, more than 20,000 police personnel were deployed across the province to maintain law and order.
Out of 2,792 polling stations,
-
408 were declared highly sensitive,
-
1,032 were marked sensitive,
with continuous monitoring supported by Pakistan Army and Punjab Rangers.
Section 144 remained in effect, with a strict ban on weapons and unlawful gatherings.
ECP Says “Foolproof Security, Smooth Polling”
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reported that all polling materials, including ballot papers, reached their destinations securely. The Commission said special instructions were issued to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.
Under the security code of conduct, police served as the first responders, civil armed forces as second tier, and Pakistan Army remained in third-tier quick-response mode.
Security personnel were restricted from interfering in the polling or counting process and were only permitted to stop individuals carrying weapons or causing disturbances.
Media Restrictions
The ECP also issued strict guidelines for media, prohibiting the broadcast of unofficial polling station results until at least one hour after the conclusion of polling. All such results must be clearly labeled as unofficial and partial. Only Returning Officers may release official consolidated results.
Key Battlegrounds
NA-129 — Lahore
The Lahore constituency drew major attention as PTI-backed candidate Chaudhry Arsalan Ahmad, nephew of the late Mian Muhammad Azhar, faced off against PML-N’s Hafiz Mian Nauman.
The seat had fallen vacant following the passing of Mian Azhar, who won the 2024 general elections with a significant margin.
Over 558,000 registered voters were eligible to cast their ballots here.
NA-18 — Haripur
A competitive contest unfolded in Haripur, where PTI-backed Shehrnaz Omar Ayub, spouse of disqualified MNA Omar Ayub, faced PML-N’s Babar Nawaz Khan and PPP’s Erum Fatima.
The constituency hosts 753,000 registered voters across 602 polling stations.
Faisalabad — Four Seats at Stake
Faisalabad remained a major hotspot with multiple constituencies in the running:
-
NA-96: 16 candidates, with PML-N’s Talal Badar Chaudhry leading the race.
-
NA-104: PML-N’s Raja Daniyal vs. four independents.
-
PP-115 & PP-116: Multiple independents, with PML-N-backed candidates considered frontrunners.
These seats were vacated following the disqualification of PTI-backed members in May 9–related cases.
NA-185 — DG Khan
A tight contest was observed between PML-N’s Mahmood Qadir Leghari and PPP’s Sardar Dost Muhammad Khosa, with eight candidates in total.
Provincial Assembly Seats
Other Punjab Assembly seats also saw strong competition:
-
PP-87 (Mianwali): PML-N’s Ali Haider Noor Khan among leading candidates.
-
PP-98 (Faisalabad): Close fight between PML-N’s Azad Ali Tabbasum and independent Ajmal Cheema.
-
PP-73 (Sargodha): PML-N’s Sultan Ali Ranjha facing four independents.
-
PP-269 (Muzaffargarh): 17 candidates, PPP’s Alamdar Abbas Qureshi in a tough contest after resigning ahead of a recount request.
Officials Report Peaceful Voting
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, speaking to media in Faisalabad, stated that no voter was stopped or arrested and that turnout was estimated between 25% and 30%. He also confirmed that development project announcements by the Punjab Chief Minister were halted in line with election rules.
