The by-election of the National Assembly seat vacated by Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in NA-120 after his disqualification as a member of the house is perhaps one of the most symbolic moments in the electoral history of the country.
And as the polls finally closed in the leaderless constituency, Pakistan Today takes you through some of the lasting moments and images from the historic by-election.
The stage for the election had been set for some time with mass campaigning taking place every day leading up to the election:
With nearly 50 candidates on the ballot, the atmosphere was charged:
People came out against all odds to fulfill their civic responsibility:
Women, senior citizens and the disabled all exercised their right to vote:
ہماری خواتین ہمارا فخر#BallayPeThappa pic.twitter.com/62cA1JNWqe
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 17, 2017
Emotions were high as supporters of the seat’s last holder displayed their numbers and passion:
Voters chanting loudly in NA-120 ” Wazir-e-Azam Nawaz Sharif” #NA120SirfsherKa pic.twitter.com/e21K7V9iZf
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) September 17, 2017
Na koi sher, na koi bala Sher kalla, sher Kalla #NA120SirfSherKa pic.twitter.com/tSsfw9W55c
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) September 17, 2017
Noon Ka Janoon #NA120sherKa pic.twitter.com/rBFB1ikKtk
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) September 17, 2017
The PTI and its followers were not to be outdone either:
Live from NA120#BallayPeThappa https://t.co/JGdlqq6PTr
— PTI Lahore Official (@PTIOfficialLHR) September 17, 2017
#PTI ‘s dedicated workers in UC69 supervised by Amjad Niazi & Mian Aslam Iqbal. #BallayPeThappa pic.twitter.com/548ZEnRgwZ
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 17, 2017
Visiting polling station in UC 69 on foot. Vibrant #PTI colors everywhere. #BallayPeThappa pic.twitter.com/I2u9FdHV2o
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 17, 2017
Provincial minister Bilal Yasin was one of the PML-N leaders that took to the ground in last minute campaign efforts:
The PTI’s own candidate was also visible in the voting process:
The Mili Muslim League also remained an ever present fixture of the polls:
