Pakistan counts ballots after by-elections in 13 constituencies

Pakistan entered the post-poll phase late Sunday after by-elections were held across 13 National and Punjab Assembly constituencies, with authorities compiling results after the close of voting earlier in the day.

Initial and unofficial tallies from some polling stations circulated on local media, while the authorities continued the formal process of consolidating results.

The contests were triggered by the disqualification of several lawmakers from former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who were convicted in cases linked to the May 2023 unrest.

National and provincial races

National Assembly seats were contested in NA-18 Haripur, NA-96 Faisalabad, NA-104 Faisalabad, NA-129 Lahore, NA-143 Sahiwal, and NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan.
Punjab Assembly by-elections took place in PP-73 Sargodha, PP-87 Mianwali, PP-98 Faisalabad, PP-115 Faisalabad, PP-116 Faisalabad, PP-203 Sahiwal, and PP-269 Muzaffargarh.

State broadcaster Radio Pakistan said military personnel were deployed to maintain order, while the Election Commission coordinated logistics with district administrations to ensure smooth polling. Voting continued without disruption until the specified closing time.

Security forces positioned outside stations

Security arrangements were extensive, particularly at locations designated “most sensitive.” Troops stood guard outside key polling stations, and rapid-response units were placed on standby. Officials said deployments were calibrated to prevent intimidation and respond only to serious threats such as weapons, explosives or attempts to incite violence.

In Punjab, where most seats were contested, more than 20,000 police officers were mobilized to enforce election rules and Section 144 restrictions. Monitoring was conducted through provincial control rooms, Safe City networks and district operations centres.

The by-elections were held nearly two years after the May 2023 protests, which prompted a sweeping crackdown on PTI. Several senior figures later distanced themselves from Khan, who has been incarcerated since August 2023 on charges he denies.

Key candidates

Among the prominent contenders in the National Assembly races were Shehrnaz Omar Ayub (NA-18), Muhammad Bilal Badar Chaudhry (NA-96), Daniyal Ahmed (NA-104), Hafiz Mian Muhammad Noman (NA-129), Muhammad Tufail Jutt (NA-143), and PPP’s Dost Muhammad Khosa and PML-N’s Mehmood Qadir Khan Laghari in NA-185.

In Punjab Assembly contests, key PML-N candidates included Mian Sultan Ali Ranjha (PP-73), Azad Ali Tabbasum (PP-98), Muhammad Tahir Pervez (PP-115), Ahmed Shaharyar (PP-116), and Muhammad Hanif Jutt (PP-203).

Punjab Police Chief Dr Usman Anwar said multiple formations - including the Dolphin Squad, Special Branch and Counter-Terrorism Department - were deployed to help maintain order.

The by-elections are widely seen as an indicator of Pakistan’s political climate amid continued tensions between governing and opposition parties.