By-elections for NA-122, NA-152 to be held on Oct 11: ECP

The seats fell vacant after election tribunal found irregularities in 2013 general elections

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced a schedule for by-elections in the NA-122 and NA-154 constituencies, with the former expected to witness a close competition between PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq and PTI leader Aleem Khan.

In a notification, the ECP said that the elections in both constituencies would take place on October 11.

The coveted NA-122, Lahore, seat fell vacant after an election tribunal, in its verdict on August 22, found irregularities in the 2013 general elections, ultimately causing Sadiq, the former National Assembly speaker, to step down.

Similarly, the NA-154, Lodhran, seat was vacated after the disqualification of PML-N's MNA Siddique Baloch on a petition filed by PTI's Jehangir Tareen over alleged rigging in the general elections.

Read: NA-122 rigging allegations: Tribunal terms Ayaz Sadiq's election null and void

Further, the ECP said that the nomination papers for both by-elections would be accepted on September 10 and 11, scrutiny of which would be carried out on September 14 and 15. The last date for appeals would be September 19, while a final list of the candidates would be displayed on September 21.

Read: PML-N decides to contest by-polls on vacant seats

It said that a code of conduct for conducting the polls has also been issued and forwarded to the relevant election and governmental offices.

ECP officials refuse to resign

Meanwhile, in a special meeting of the ECP, the members unanimously decided that they would not tender their resignations.

"Since a lawyers' forum of the PTI has already filed a reference in the Supreme Judicial Council, which is the proper and competent forum for deciding such issues, the concerned members would not take any decision till the final decision of the council," a press release released on Monday said.