The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has set October 5, 2025, as the polling date for by-elections in three constituencies: NA-143 Sahiwal, NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan, and PP-203 in the Punjab Assembly. This move follows the recent disqualification of several lawmakers across national and provincial legislatures.
Timeline for Candidate Nominations
The ECP has outlined a clear schedule for prospective candidates. Public notices will be issued by the returning officers on August 26. Nomination papers can then be submitted between August 28 and 30, with the initial list of applicants made public on August 30.
Scrutiny of these nominations will conclude by September 3. Any appeals regarding rejected papers must be filed by September 8, with final decisions expected on September 12. Candidates will have until September 15 to withdraw if they choose, and the definitive list of contesting candidates will be published the following day.
Seats Vacated Following Legal Disqualifications
The upcoming by-elections were triggered by the disqualification of MNAs Rai Hassan Nawaz, Zartaj Gul, and MPA Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal, following convictions by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Faisalabad. Earlier this month, the ECP also disqualified Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz and National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, along with seven other lawmakers affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution, parliamentarians convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude are barred from holding office. The disqualified legislators include:
- Senator Syed Shibli Faraz – Opposition Leader, Senate
- Omar Ayub Khan, MNA NA-18 Haripur – Opposition Leader, National Assembly
- Rai Haider Ali Khan, MNA NA-96 Faisalabad-II
- Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza, MNA NA-104 Faisalabad-X
- Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, MNA NA-143 Sahiwal-II
- Zartaj Gul, MNA NA-185 D.G. Khan-II
- Muhammad Ansar Iqbal, MPA PP-73 Sargodha-II
- Junaid Afzal Sahi, MPA PP-98 Faisalabad-I
- Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal, MPA PP-203 Sahiwal-VI
These disqualifications have left a total of nine seats vacant in the National Assembly, Senate, and provincial assemblies, necessitating the upcoming by-polls.
Looking Ahead to Polling Day
The ECP has confirmed that voting for NA-143, NA-185, and PP-203 will take place on October 5. Officials say preparations are underway to ensure a smooth and transparent electoral process, reflecting the commission’s ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of Pakistan’s elections.
Analysts note that these by-elections could serve as an early indicator of public sentiment ahead of the next general elections, particularly given the high-profile nature of the disqualified lawmakers.
