Senate polling is actively taking place in both the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies, with 36 seats being contested across the two regions. In Punjab, voting began at 9 am and is scheduled to continue until 4 pm. So far, 130 votes have been cast out of the 369 total assembly members, according to election officials.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has appointed Chief Whip Rana Arshad as its polling agent in Punjab. On the opposition side, Rana Shahbaz has been tasked with monitoring the process. Both parties are working to ensure their candidates receive full support, with strict adherence to voting protocols.
Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 25 candidates are competing for 11 Senate seats, which include 7 general, 2 technocrat, and 2 women’s reserved seats. Major political parties like Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and PML-N have all fielded strong candidates, intensifying the competition.
Strict security arrangements have been put in place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to ensure peaceful and fair elections. Media coverage at polling stations has been restricted, but election officials have assured the process remains smooth under tight police supervision. Observers note that the overall atmosphere is calm but competitive.
Furthermore, the Election Commission has clarified that any candidates who withdrew after the official 12 pm deadline on Sunday will still appear on the ballot. However, a “retired” stamp will mark their names, clearly indicating they are no longer contesting. This rule aims to avoid confusion during the vote-counting process.
As the day progresses, political analysts and party workers remain eager to see how voting unfolds. The outcome of these Senate elections is expected to influence the political dynamics at the national level, making every vote crucial for party strategies ahead.