ECP releases final list of 44 candidates for NA-120 by-election

LAHORE: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday issued final list of candidates in the run for by-election in NA-120 seat vacated after the disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

According to the details, of out of total 55 candidates, 44 will contest the by-election in the constituency as 11 candidates withdrew their nomination papers.

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, PTI’s Dr Yasmeen Rashid, PPP’s Faisal Mir and fourteen others have also been allotted election symbols, ECP officials said.

Around 321786 voters registered in the Lahore constituency will exercise their right to vote on Sept 17.

According to an ECP statement 220 polling stations will be set up in the constituency with the personnel of Pakistan Army and Rangers to be deployed inside and outside the polling stations to maintain law and order on the polling day.

The commission is also considering to test biometric verification and electronic voting machines at selected polling stations in the by-election.

Earlier on Thursday, the ECP had written to Ministry of Defence, asking for the deployment of military troops inside and outside the polling stations.

Following the disqualification of ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif under Article 62 of the constitution by Supreme Court of Pakistan, the National Assembly seat in Lahore fell vacant.

In the General Elections 2013, Nawaz Sharif had secured 91,683 votes by winning the seat against 52,354 votes of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s candidate Yasmin Rashid.