LAHORE: A final list has been submitted of the candidates competing in the NA-120 by-election. After the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif, the by-polls for the constituency will be held on September 17, for which, Maryam Nawaz has been appointed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as candidate.
Whereas, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) has appointed Dr Yasmin Rashid to compete for the seat. A seat adjustement was reached between PTI and Awami Tehreek, by which, the latter’s candidate Ishtiaq Chaudhry has stepped down. On the other hand, People’s Party’s (Shaheed Bhutto Group) candidate Shakeel Shah Gillani has been allotted a sign after being considered an independent candidate. It has been told that candidates have not been allotted their party signs because intra-party elections were not held prior to their nomination; no details of funds was revealed as well which is why the Election Commission has not allotted them a party sign and considered them as being independent.
According to the final list issued by the returning officer regarding elections in the constituency, 44 candidates will be competing on September 17. Returning Officer Muhammad Shahid has informed that a total of 220 polling stations and 573 polling booths have been installed. Presiding officers and staff will receive training from September 6 onwards. The returning officer further informed that Milli Muslim League, is yet, not registered as a party; therefore its candidate Ayub Shiekh will contest the elections as an independent candidate and has been allotted the sign of an energy saver.
It is also worth mentioning here that the Election Commission will test the biometric machines during the by-election, which will be exclusively used in 100 polling stations; army will also be appointed to secure the elections.
A total number of 321,633 voters are present in the constituency, including 179,505 male and 142,128 female voters. There will be 310 polling stations for women and 258 for men. 19 will be combined. There will be 220 presiding officers and 568 assistant presiding officers.