PM’s adviser secures 250 votes as PTI boycotts polling; seat was vacated after disqualification of Ejaz Chaudhry.
LAHORE: Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Prime Minister’s Adviser, Rana Sanaullah, has won the Senate by-election from Punjab, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results announced on Tuesday.
The seat became vacant following the disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senator Ejaz Chaudhry, who was convicted in connection with the May 9 riots.
Polling was held at the Punjab Assembly between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, during which 251 votes were cast. Only one vote was rejected during the counting process. Sanaullah needed at least 181 votes to secure the seat and won it comfortably by securing 250 votes — a landslide victory.
PTI’s candidate Salma Ejaz did not receive any votes, as the party boycotted the election in protest over the disqualification and other legal proceedings against its leaders.
The result was officially announced by Provincial Election Commissioner and Returning Officer (RO) Sharifullah shortly after the vote count concluded.
The outcome strengthens PML-N’s position in the Senate ahead of upcoming legislative sessions and reflects the ruling party’s current dominance in the Punjab Assembly.
