239 candidates contending for 23 seats in April 21 by-elections

ISLAMABAD: An Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) official disclosed that a total of 239 candidates are contending for 23 vacant seats in the upcoming by-elections scheduled for April 21.

Out of the 239 candidates, 50 are competing for vacant seats in the National Assembly. Notably, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari has already been elected unopposed for NA 207.

In the provincial assemblies, 23 candidates are vying for seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, while 154 candidates are contesting in Punjab. Zubair Ahmed Junejo secured his seat unopposed on PS-80 in Sindh.

Twelve candidates are running for the empty seats in the Balochistan Assembly. The Election Commission plans to start printing ballot papers after finalizing the candidate lists by March 30.

The official confirmed that election materials have been provided to provincial election commissioners, and district Returning Officers and Returning Officers are fulfilling their duties as per the election schedule.

The commission is closely coordinating with the Ministries of Interior and Defense, along with provincial law enforcement agencies.

On March 13, the Commission announced the schedule for by-elections across 23 National and Provincial Assembly seats, covering six National Assembly seats, twelve Punjab Assembly seats, two seats in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, one seat in the Sindh Assembly, and two seats in the Balochistan Assembly, all scheduled for April 21.