PESHAWAR: The polling process for the Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reportedly been delayed, according to sources.
While the polling staff is present inside the Assembly’s Jirga Hall, members have yet to arrive to cast their votes. Sources indicate that negotiations are currently underway between the government and opposition leaders.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Opposition Leader Dr. Ibadullah are said to be participating in the talks. It is also being considered during the negotiations that candidates may be elected unopposed, sources added.
Several provincial ministers and members of the assembly are present in the assembly premises, awaiting the outcome of the discussions.
The Jirga Hall of the KP Assembly has been designated as the polling station, with stringent security arrangements in place to ensure a smooth and secure electoral process.
To prevent horse-trading, the government and opposition have reached a mutual understanding to divide the seats based on a 6-5 formula.
As per the agreement, six seats have been allocated to the government while the opposition will receive five.
There are 4 government candidates in the general seats from KP and 3 opposition candidates, while 2, 2 candidates for the government and the opposition are nominated for women and technocrats.
PTI has nominated Murad Saeed, Faisal Javed, Mirza Afridi, Noorulhaq Qadri for the general seats while Rubina Naz, Azam Swati are also among the PTI candidates. Niaz Ahmed from the PML -N, Talha Mahmood from the PPP, Atta ul Haq from the PPP, while Rubina Khalid of the PPP and Dilawar Khan of JUI are also in the field.
The number of government members in the KP Assembly is 92, while the opposition has the support of 53 members, 19 votes are needed for the general seat while 49 votes for women and technocrats.
The opposition will need 4 votes to win the third general seat, Khurram Zeeshan is in the field after the withdrawal of 4 of the 5 angry members.
On the other hand, polling is underway for the vacant seat of the Senate from Punjab and so far 103 members have cast their votes.
Punjab Assembly has been designated polling station for polling with the Provincial Election Commissioner will perform the duties of Punjab Returning Officer, 369 of the 371 House are eligible to vote.
Following the demise of Professor Sajid Mir, the Ameer of Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadees Pakistan, the Senate seat left vacant is being contested by multiple candidates.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has nominated Hafiz Abdul Karim as its candidate, while the opposition parties have fielded Mehr Abdul Sattar.
In addition, two independent candidates — Khadija Siddiqi and Ejaz Hussain — are also in the race.
