Polling under way in Gujranwala and Chichawatni by-elections
Security is tight in both constituencies, where 11 candidates are contesting the National Assembly seat and 258,122 voters are eligible to cast ballots.
Polling began on Sunday for by-elections in National Assembly constituency NA-77 in Gujranwala and Punjab Assembly constituency PP-203 in Chichawatni, the Election Commission said, Dunya News reported.
The commission said polling will continue without a break until 5 p.m.
NA-77 has 333 polling stations, including 142 for men, 137 for women and 54 shared stations.
A total of 963 polling booths have been set up in the constituency, with 536 for men and 427 for women.
Officials said security arrangements are extremely strict, and 11 candidates are contesting the NA-77 seat.
The seat fell vacant after the death of PML-N National Assembly member Mahmood Bashir Virk, and the party has nominated his son, Rashid Bashir Virk, as its candidate.
In the 2024 general election, Mahmood Bashir Virk won the seat with 109,704 votes, while Rashida Tariq finished second with 91,825 votes, a margin of 17,879 votes.
Polling is also under way in PP-203 Chichawatni, where 258,122 voters will cast their ballots.
PML-N has nominated Chaudhry Asad Hanif Jutt for the Punjab Assembly seat, which fell vacant after the death of MPA Chaudhry Muhammad Hanif Jutt.
By-elections are held to fill a seat that becomes vacant during an assembly's term, usually because of a member's death, resignation or disqualification.
Both constituencies are in Punjab, the country's most populous province, and the results will determine who represents these seats in the National Assembly and the provincial assembly.
