ECP decides to deploy Army in NA-120 by-election next month

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday issued fresh orders for the deployment of Pakistan Army personnel at polling stations in NA-120 in Lahore during by-poll next month.

In a letter to Ministry of Defence, the ECP has issued directives for the deployment of Army’s personnel inside and outside the polling stations falling in the Lahore constituency for National Assembly seat.

The personnel will perform their duties till end of polling time in the constituency, read the ECP letter.

The NA-120 by-election is scheduled to be held on September 17, 2017.

Prior to ECP’s orders, the Returning Officer of the constituency had also called for deployment of the army’s personnel at the polling stations of NA-120.

Read also: Rift grows within Sharif family ahead of NA-120 by-polls

Following the disqualification of ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif under Article 62 of the constitution by Supreme Court of Pakistan, National Assembly seat NA-120 in Lahore fell vacant.

The ruling party is fielding wife of former PM Kulsoom Nawaz for the seat.

Following the landmark verdict, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson announced Nawaz Sharif had stepped down as the prime minister by acceding to the court orders despite having reservations, leaving the National Assembly seat vacant.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had announced Dr. Yasmin Rashid as candidate contesting by-polls for National Assembly constituency NA-120.

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.