In a recent update on the Senate elections, it’s been reported that 18 candidates from Punjab and Balochistan have been elected unopposed, leaving 59 candidates in the race for the 30 vacant Senate seats. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has confirmed that preparations for the elections on April 2 are complete.
The PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) remains the largest party in the upper house with 20 members currently. They are expected to secure more seats, particularly from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In total, 147 candidates had filed nominations for the 48 Senate seats, with 18 already securing their positions without contest. This includes seven general seats each from Punjab and Balochistan, along with reserved seats for women and technocrats in Balochistan.
In Sindh, 11 candidates are competing for seven general seats, with three candidates for women’s seats, four for technocrats, and two for minorities. Similar contests are happening in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Notable winners include various party members from PML-N, PPP, JUI-F, ANP, and others. In Punjab, seven candidates secured general seats unopposed, including Mohsin Naqvi and Pervaiz Rashid.
Challenges have arisen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where elections might be postponed if certain conditions regarding the oath-taking of assembly members are not met.
The situation in Sindh is also noteworthy, with Faisal Vawda contesting independently. If the PPP supports Vawda, they could secure more seats.
The Senate elections are shaping up with notable wins and potential challenges in different provinces.