Campaigning Comes to a Close
Pakistan’s by-election campaign officially ended at midnight on Thursday. Consequently, all parties and candidates must stop campaigning ahead of Friday’s voting.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) warned parties against violating the electoral code of conduct. Furthermore, authorities emphasized that anyone attempting to manipulate the election or interfere with voters could face strict legal action. Therefore, the commission urged strict compliance to ensure a fair process.
Constituencies Set for Voting
Tomorrow, voters will cast their ballots in six National Assembly constituencies. For details on other upcoming by-elections, including NA-1 Chitral, see By-Election Schedule Announced for NA-1 Chitral.
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NA-18 Haripur
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NA-96 Faisalabad
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NA-104 Faisalabad
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NA-129 Lahore
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NA-143 Sahiwal
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NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan
In addition, seven Provincial Assembly constituencies will hold by-elections:
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PP-98 Bhakkar
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PP-115 and PP-116 Faisalabad
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PP-73 Sargodha
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PP-87 Mianwali
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PP-203 Sahiwal
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PP-269 Muzaffargarh
By-elections often act as a gauge of public sentiment. Moreover, urban constituencies like Lahore and Faisalabad attract national attention because political parties consider them key indicators ahead of general elections. As a result, these areas often witness intense campaigning before the cut-off.
Tight Security Measures
The Ministry of Interior has ordered the deployment of civil armed forces and the Pakistan Army to secure election day. Specifically, civil forces will serve as a second-tier rapid reaction unit, while the Army will operate as a third-tier backup to handle emergencies.
Additionally, the ECP has notified local police deployment and assigned military and civil officers the powers of first-class magistrates. This measure aims to prevent voter intimidation and maintain order. Furthermore, it reassures citizens that elections will proceed safely and without disruption.
Election-day security has gained significance in Pakistan because past elections occasionally witnessed clashes between rival supporters, particularly in urban constituencies. Therefore, authorities stress readiness and strict law enforcement. Moreover, they encourage citizens to report any disturbances immediately.
Significance of the By-Elections
By-elections influence the composition of both the National and Provincial Assemblies. In particular, results from NA-129 Lahore and NA-96 Faisalabad could reveal emerging political trends.
Voter turnout in previous by-elections varied widely. For instance, urban constituencies often recorded 40–50% participation, while rural areas sometimes saw as low as 30%. Therefore, the ECP urged citizens to vote actively, highlighting that each vote impacts local representation.
Furthermore, these by-elections allow political parties to test strategies and gauge public support ahead of nationwide polls. Consequently, observers watch these contests closely to anticipate broader electoral outcomes.
Election-Day Preparations
The ECP has established monitoring teams and call centers to ensure compliance with election rules. In addition, voters can report irregularities such as campaigning near polling stations or attempts to bribe citizens.
Polling stations will open early in the morning and close by evening. Moreover, officials confirmed that all standard safety and COVID-19 precautions will remain in place.
Overall, authorities, political parties, and civil society groups are preparing diligently. They hope that transparent and well-managed elections will strengthen public trust in Pakistan’s democratic process. Additionally, the high level of security aims to provide voters confidence in a safe and fair election day.
