Punjab Senate By-Election Scheduled for Monday to Fill Vacant Seat

Download IPFS

The Punjab Assembly is set to hold a by-election on Monday, July 21, 2025, to fill a vacant Senate seat following the passing of Senator Sajid Mir. This article delves into the election’s significance, the candidates, and the broader political implications, emphasizing the need for a robust democratic process amidst ongoing political tensions in Pakistan.

The by-election, announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), will take place at the Punjab Assembly Hall in Lahore, designated as the polling station, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The seat became vacant after the death of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Sajid Mir, a respected figure and head of Jamiat Ahle Hadith Pakistan, who passed away on May 3, 2025, due to cardiac arrest. According to the ECP, the Provincial Election Commissioner Punjab will oversee the process as the returning officer. Members of the Punjab Assembly, currently dominated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with 92 seats, will cast their votes, each required to present official identification. The ECP has enforced a strict code of conduct to ensure transparency, as noted by Capital TV Live.

The candidate list, finalized on July 17, 2025, includes PML-N’s Abdul Kareem and independents Khadija Siddiqi, Abdul Sattar, and Ejaz Hussain, as reported by The Nation. This follows a postponed attempt on May 29, delayed due to a legal dispute over reserved seats, highlighting the complexities of Pakistan’s electoral framework. The by-election’s outcome could shift the Senate’s balance, where the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) currently holds a strong position with potential to secure 27 seats. PML-N, with 159 seats in the Punjab Assembly, aims to retain its influence, but the AAP’s majority may sway the vote.

This election underscores deeper political fault lines, with PTI’s boycott of similar polls in Sindh raising questions about democratic commitment. As Punjab votes, the focus remains on ensuring a fair process, free from the controversies that have plagued recent elections. The outcome will test the resilience of Pakistan’s democratic institutions and their ability to navigate partisan divides.