In accordance with Section 182 of the Election Act 2017, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reminded candidates of the electioneering deadline, which ended at midnight on April 19, Geo News reported. This comes in advance of April 21 by-elections in 21 national and provincial assembly constituencies in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan. The election laws stipulated that campaigning was to end precisely at midnight on April 19 and April 20.
According to Geo News, the highest electoral body has warned that candidates engaging in political activities after the deadline will face legal consequences.
For 48 hours following the polls closing until midnight, the aforementioned Election Act rule forbids anybody from planning, attending, or taking part in any public assemblies or processions inside the boundaries of the constituency.
Earlier this month, the poll organising body released a notification on the holding of by-elections in 23 constituencies, comprising 6 NA, 12 Punjab Assembly, 2 KP Assembly, 2 Balochistan Assembly, and 1 Sindh Assembly constituency, reported Geo News.
In the next by-elections, 239 people will run, including 50 candidates for NA seats. In the NA-207 constituency, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari was elected without facing any opposition.
Another PPP leader, Zubair Ahmed Junejo, was also elected without facing any contest on the PS-80 Dadu seat.
Subsequently, 23 candidates were contesting by-polls for KP Assembly seats, 154 candidates for Punjab Assembly seats, and 12 candidates for Balochistan Assembly seats.
(with inputs from ANI)
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