Polling underway in 13 Pakistani constituencies amid tight security

Polling is underway on Sunday across 13 constituencies in Pakistan, with authorities enforcing tight security as voters cast ballots for National and Punjab Assembly seats, according to state-run Radio Pakistan.

Most of the seats were vacated after lawmakers from former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party were disqualified following convictions linked to the May 2023 violent protests.

Voting for National Assembly seats is taking place in NA-18 Haripur, NA-96 Faisalabad, NA-104 Faisalabad, NA-129 Lahore, NA-143 Sahiwal and NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan.

Polling for provincial assembly seats is underway in PP-73 Sargodha, PP-87 Mianwali, PP-98 Faisalabad, PP-115 Faisalabad, PP-116 Faisalabad, PP-203 Sahiwal and PP-269 Muzaffargarh.

Radio Pakistan reported that Pakistan Army personnel have been deployed to help maintain order during the by-elections. The broadcaster said polling will continue until 5 p.m. without a break.

The district administration in Punjab, working with the Election Commission of Pakistan, has arranged logistics and transport to ensure a smooth process, according to the state media outlet.

Security forces positioned outside stations

A number of PTI lawmakers were disqualified after courts convicted them for alleged involvement in the May 9, 2023 riots that erupted after Khan’s brief arrest on corruption charges. Buildings and military installations were attacked during the unrest, authorities say. Khan and his party deny that supporters were encouraged to engage in violence.

The protests were followed by a sweeping crackdown on PTI leaders and members. Many senior party figures later distanced themselves from Khan. The former premier has been in jail since August 2023 on a range of charges, including corruption and sedition, which he denies.

Of the six National Assembly seats, one — NA-18 Haripur — is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the remaining five are in Punjab.

The seven Punjab Assembly by-polls are being held in PP-73, PP-87, PP-98, PP-115, PP-116, PP-203 and PP-269.

Under the Election Commission’s code of conduct, security forces are stationed outside polling stations designated “most sensitive,” while remaining troops are on quick-response duty as third-tier responders. They have been instructed to act strictly within constitutional limits and the mandate given to the armed forces.

Troops have been directed to focus solely on ensuring a secure environment and maintaining public confidence. They are prohibited from blocking any eligible voter except in cases involving weapons, explosives, prohibited items or attempts to incite violence.

In Punjab, where 12 of the 13 seats are located, more than 20,000 police personnel have been deployed. The Punjab police said on X that officers were on “high alert” and enforcing the Election Commission’s code of conduct, Section 144 restrictions and a ban on carrying arms.

“The polling process is being continuously monitored from the Central Police Office, the Safe City Authority, and the control and monitoring rooms of districts,” the police said.

Punjab police chief Dr Usman Anwar said all formations, including the Dolphin Squad, Special Branch and the Counter-Terrorism Department, were assisting with security.

Key candidates

In NA-18, former opposition leader Omar Ayub’s wife, Shehrnaz Omar Ayub, is contesting her first election and is facing Babar Nawaz.

In NA-96, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has fielded Muhammad Bilal Badar Chaudhry, the brother of Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry.

In NA-104, the PML-N nominee is Daniyal Ahmed, who previously lost to Sahibzada Hamid Raza, who secured 132,655 votes. Ahmed is the son of Raja Riaz, the former opposition leader in the National Assembly.

In NA-129, the seat fell vacant after the death of PTI leader and former Punjab governor Mian Muhammad Azhar. His grandson, Chaudhry Arsalan, is contesting the by-election, while the PML-N has fielded Hafiz Mian Muhammad Noman.

In NA-143, the PML-N candidate is Muhammad Tufail Jutt, running against independent candidate Zarrar Akbar Choudhary.

In NA-185, PPP’s Dost Muhammad Khosa and the PML-N’s Mehmood Qadir Khan Laghari are among the main contenders.

Punjab Assembly contests also feature multiple PML-N candidates, including Mian Sultan Ali Ranjha in PP-73; Azad Ali Tabbasum in PP-98; Muhammad Tahir Pervez in PP-115; Ahmed Shaharyar in PP-116; and Muhammad Hanif Jutt in PP-203.