Nawaz Sharif to contest by-elections from NA-123

Former Prime Minister and PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif will be contesting elections from NA-123 in the upcoming by-elections. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (Retd) Hamid Mirza has issued directives to hold by elections on November 7 on all the vacant seats of national and provincial assemblies saying it was mandatory to hold by polls within 60 days under the constitution. The polling for the by-elections will be held in five constituencies.

He issued these directives during the hearing of an application filed by Chairman Awami Muslim League (AML) Shaikh Rashid Ahmad with reference to by polls in constitutency-55 Rawalpindi. The by-elections in these electorates were scheduled for July this year but they were delayed due to the sensitive law and order situation.

The National Assembly seat from Rawalpindi NA-55 is also vacant now after PML-N MNA Haji Pervaiz Khan resigned over an examination scandal. Shaikh Rashid Ahmed expressed his optimism with regards to winning the by-election from the important constituency of Rawalpindi NA-55. Former Federal Minister Shaikh Rashid is one of the several candidates, contesting from NA-55.Meanwhile, Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan took charge as the new Secretary of the Election Commission earlier on Tuesday.