The electoral stage is now set in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) for the Senate elections, where 25 candidates are vying for 11 Senate seats in a politically charged atmosphere marked by significant intra-party disagreements.
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), all necessary preparations for the polling have been finalized. The Jirga Hall of the KP Assembly has been converted into a polling station, equipped with two voting booths. Voting commenced at 11 AM and is scheduled to conclude at 4 PM.
As per the ECP’s official final list, there are 16 candidates contesting for the 7 general seats, 5 candidates for the 2 technocrat seats, and 4 candidates for the 2 women’s seats. However, a series of withdrawals have significantly altered the dynamics of the contest, particularly within the ranks of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
PTI, the incumbent ruling party in KP, has put forward prominent candidates including Murad Saeed, Mirza Afridi, Faisal Javed, and Allama Noorul Haq Qadri. Their key opponents include Attaul Haq from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Talha Mehmood, representing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has nominated Niaz Muhammad, the son of party veteran Amir Muqam. Other notable contenders include Asif Rafique, Azhar Qazi Mashwani, Dilawar Khan, and Shafqat Ayaz, while independent candidates Faizur Rehman and Muhammad Azam Swati are also actively participating in the race.
Persistent Dissent Within PTI Ranks
Despite the proactive efforts of KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to bridge internal divisions, not all disgruntled PTI candidates have withdrawn their candidacies.
While Irfan Saleem, Waqas Orakzai, and Ayesha Bano have publicly announced their withdrawal—reportedly after reaching an understanding with the Chief Minister—Khurram Zeeshan has not stepped down and remains a contender in the election.
Contests for Women’s and Technocrat Seats
For the two reserved women’s seats, three candidates are currently in the running: Rubina Khalid of the PPP, Rubina Naz of the PTI, and independent candidate Mehwish Ali. Notably, PTI’s Ayesha Bano is still listed on the ballot despite her announced withdrawal.
Regarding the technocrat seats, five names appear on the ballot. PTI’s Azam Swati and JUI-F’s Dilawar Khan are considered the primary contenders. Disgruntled PTI figures Syed Irshad Hussain, Khalid Masood, and Waqar Ahmed Qazi are also listed, although it is widely believed that at least one of them has withdrawn from the race.
Ballot Paper Complications and Official Clarification
The ECP has provided a clarification regarding candidates who withdrew after the official deadline of 12 PM on Sunday. Their names will still appear on the ballot paper, but with the word “retired” stamped alongside them to prevent any confusion during the voting process.
Media Barred from Coverage
The Election Commission has imposed a comprehensive ban on media coverage of the ongoing polling process. Vehicles have been restricted from accessing the assembly gate, and journalists have been denied entry to the premises. The KP Assembly Secretariat confirmed receiving this directive from the ECP, following which media crews initiated a sit-in protest outside the assembly building.
