ISLAMABAD: Pakistani legislators will vote to elect 48 Senators on Thursday with four already being elected unopposed from Sindh.
A day ahead of the voting, politicking is in full gear with parities reaching out to legislators to ensure that their vote does not waver.
PML-N leader Saad Rafique is in Quetta where he met with Akhtar Mengal. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman is meeting party MPAs and coalition partners in Peshawar.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has allowed Raheela Magsi from the PML-N to contest the election. Three MQM candidates Bisma Asif, Shumaila Shahab and Zulfiqar Ali Shah have withdrawn from the elections. The MQM candidate from Islamabad stepped down in favour of the PPP candidate.
It is expected that PPP candidates from Islamabad will have the support of MQM, JUI-F and ANP. Meanwhile PPP leaders are also in contact with leaders from the PTI and independent legislators.
Members of the National and provincial assemblies have been barred from carrying mobile phones or any electronic device that can take a picture during the Senate elections.
The Election Commission of Pakistan took the decision in order to protect the sanctity of the secret ballot and to discourage legislators from taking pictures of the ballot-paper to prove which way they have voted.
Pakistan’s Senate elections have always been plagued with horse trading allegations and claims of legislators selling their votes to the highest bidder.
Much debate has taken place regarding whether the elections should be conducted with a show of hands or remain a secret ballot.
For the time being the elections will be conducted via a secret ballot under article 266.
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