Senate polling continues in K-P, Punjab

Polling for the Senate elections is in full swing in both the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab Assemblies, with a total of 36 seats up for grabs across both regions.

In Punjab, polling commenced at 9 am and is expected to continue until 4 pm. The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has nominated Chief Whip Rana Arshad as its polling agent, with opposition members such as Rana Shahbaz representing the opposition's interests.

Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a total of 25 candidates are contesting for 11 Senate seats, including 7 general seats, 2 technocrat seats, and 2 women’s seats.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and opposition parties, including Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), Pakistan People's Party (PPP), and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), have fielded their candidates for these seats.

Election officials have confirmed that, as of early reports, 130 votes have been cast in the Punjab Assembly out of 369 total members.

Media coverage has been restricted at polling stations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with a heavy police presence ensuring the smooth conduct of elections.

The Election Commission has also stated that candidates who withdraw after the 12 pm deadline on Sunday will have their names listed on the ballot paper, with a "retired" stamp to denote their withdrawal.