Voting is underway in the Jirga Hall of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on Thursday for a by-election on a Senate seat, which had fallen vacant due to the resignation of PTI’s Sania Nishtar, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Five women candidates are vying for the seat: the JUI-F has fielded Shazia; the PML-N’s candidate is Sobia Shahid; PTI’s candidate is Mashal Yousafzai, while two independent candidates, namely Mehtab Zafar and Saima Khalid are also contesting the election.
As many as 145 members of the provincial assembly (MPAs) are casting their votes.
The polling started two hours behind schedule.
KP Assembly Speaker Saleem Swati cast the first vote.
PPP candidate Raheela Bibi decided not to contest the poll in favour of the PML-N’s Sobia Shahid.
Opposition leader in KP Assembly talks to media
Also on Thursday, Leader of the Opposition in the KP Assembly Dr. Ibadullah Khan said that he enjoyed the support of five opposition parties.
He said it was his endeavor to sort out the differences between the opposition and the ruling PTI. “I have taken steps to stop horse trading and other unfair means,” he added.
Reporter: Manzoor Hussain