Pakistan: Election Commission set for by-polls on April 21

In accordance with Section 182 of the Election Act, 2017, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reminded candidates of the electioneering deadline, which ended at midnight on Friday, as reported by Geo News. This reminder comes ahead of Sunday’s (April 21) by-elections in 21 national and provincial assembly constituencies in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan.

The election laws mandated that campaigning was to conclude precisely at midnight on Friday and Saturday (April 19-20). The ECP has cautioned that candidates who engage in political activities after the deadline will face legal consequences, according to Geo News.

Following the polls’ closure, for 48 hours until midnight, the aforementioned rule of the Election Act prohibits anyone from organizing, attending, or participating in any public gatherings or processions within the constituency boundaries.

Earlier this month, the ECP issued a notification regarding the by-elections in 23 constituencies, comprising 6 NA, 12 Punjab Assembly, 2 KP Assembly, 2 Balochistan Assembly, and 1 Sindh Assembly constituency, as reported by Geo News.

In the upcoming by-elections, a total of 239 candidates will compete, including 50 candidates for NA seats. In the NA-207 constituency, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari was elected unopposed.

Similarly, PPP leader Zubair Ahmed Junejo was elected without contest on the PS-80 Dadu seat.

Subsequently, 23 candidates are contesting by-polls for KP Assembly seats, 154 candidates for Punjab Assembly seats, and 12 candidates for Balochistan Assembly seats.