Polling is underway today in six National Assembly and seven Punjab Assembly constituencies, where voting started at 8am and will continue without any break until 5pm, ensuring uninterrupted participation of all registered voters in these closely watched by-elections.
Security measures remain strict, as authorities have deployed over 20,000 police officials across Punjab, while 408 polling stations are declared highly sensitive and monitored through CCTV cameras for real-time supervision to maintain peace and discipline.
Read more : Tough contest likely between PTI, PML-N in by-polls today
Most seats became vacant after the disqualification of PTI lawmakers over their alleged role in May 9, 2023 events, and now major parties including PML-N, PPP, and PTI-backed independents are competing fiercely to strengthen their influence in Punjab, especially in highly contested urban regions.
A highly competitive battle is expected in NA-18 Haripur, NA-96 Faisalabad, NA-104 Faisalabad, NA-129 Lahore, NA-143 Sahiwal, and NA-185 DG Khan, while political analysts believe that Lahore’s NA-129 holds key importance, as its outcome could strongly influence the city’s political direction going forward.
Read more : Pakistan Army deployed to secure upcoming by-elections
Similarly, voters are choosing new representatives in PP-73 Sargodha, PP-87 Mianwali, PP-98, PP-115, PP-116 Faisalabad, PP-203 Sahiwal, and PP-269 Muzaffargarh, and therefore these results will play a major role in shaping the future of Punjab’s assembly power structure as well.
Meanwhile, election authorities have barred media from airing unofficial results before one hour after polls close, and only Returning Officers may declare official results, ensuring that no premature reporting misleads the public during this crucial democratic process.