Islamabad (Web Desk): By-elections for two National Assembly seats and one seat in the Punjab Assembly are scheduled to take place on October 5, 2025, following the disqualification of three lawmakers affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) officially released the election schedule on Wednesday, confirming the upcoming polls in NA-143 Sahiwal-III, NA-185 Dera Ghazi Khan, and PP-203 Sahiwal-VI.
These seats became vacant after the disqualification of Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) Rai Hassan Nawaz and Zartaj Gul, along with Member of the Provincial Assembly Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal.
The ECP has outlined a comprehensive schedule for the electoral process, beginning with the issuance of a public notice on August 26.
Candidates interested in contesting the elections can submit their nomination papers between August 28 and August 30.
The list of all submitted nominations will be published on August 30. Scrutiny of these nominations, along with any hearings on objections, will conclude by September 3. Appeals against decisions made during scrutiny can be filed until September 8, with the final verdicts on these appeals expected by September 12.
The definitive list of contesting candidates will be released on September 13, and September 15 will mark the deadline for withdrawal of candidature. Election symbols will be assigned on September 16, setting the stage for polling to be held on October 5.
The by-elections come at a time of heightened political attention, as the disqualification of PTI-backed legislators has left these constituencies temporarily unrepresented.