By-election on Punjab PA seat: ECP invites applications for postal ballot

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has invited applications from voters wishing to cast their votes through postal ballot in the upcoming by-election on a Punjab Assembly seat scheduled this June.

In a statement, the ECP has asked the applicants to send their applications for the postal ballot not later than 15th May.

The by-election in PP-83 Khushab III is scheduled on 7th June.

The Section 27 of the Elections Act, 2017 provides that—(1) A person shall be deemed to be resident in an electoral area if their temporary or permanent address in the national identity card issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) lies in the said electoral area.

(2) A person who is in the service of Pakistan may apply to the registration officer for enrolment in the electoral area in which he temporarily resides for being in the service of Pakistan.

(3) The spouse and children of the person in the service of Pakistan may apply to the registration officer for enrolment in the electoral area in which such person is enrolled under Sub-section 2.

Section 93 of the Elections Act, 2017 reads that—(1) The following persons may cast their votes by postal ballot in such manner as may be prescribed— (a) a person referred to in sub-sections (2) or (3) of the Section 27; (b) a person appointed by the returning officer, including police personnel, for the performance of any duty in connection with an election at polling station other than the one at which they are entitled to cast their vote; (c) a person with any physical disability who is unable to travel and holds an NIC with a logo for physical disability issued by NADRA, and (d) a person detained in a prison or held in custody.

The PP-83 had fallen vacant earlier last month following the death of Ali Hussain Khan from the ruling party Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), who had won this seat in February 2024 general elections. Khan passed away in Lahore on 8th April following prolonged illness.

The Section 102 of the Elections Act, 2017 provides that when the seat of a lawmaker becomes vacant, the ECP shall, by notification in the official gazette, call upon the constituency concerned to “elect a person to fill the seat for the constituency on such date as may be specified in the notification and the provisions of this Act and the rules shall apply, with necessary changes, to the election to fill such seat.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026