By-poll in Gujranwala's NA-77, Sahiwal's PP-203 concludes

Polling concluded on Sunday for by-elections in two Punjab constituencies - Gujranwala's NA-77 and Sahiwal's PP-203. Both seats had become vacant following the tragic deaths of their respective lawmakers in September. The polling process in both constituencies commenced at 8am and concluded by 5pm, allowing those present at the polling stations to cast their votes.

NA-77 fell vacant after the passing of five-time MNA Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir Virk on September 11, due to his prolonged illness. His son, Rashid Basheer Virk, is among the candidates contesting the by-election, alongside 17 others. However, opposition parties like the PTI, PPP, and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) have not chosen to participate in the by-election.

Notices were issued to several provincial assembly members and information ministry officials for alleged violations of the Code of Conduct during the polling process. Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja also visited the provincial election chief's office to be briefed on the polling procedures. In Sahiwal's PP-203, the by-poll was held after the sudden demise of PML-N MPA Chaudhry Muhammad Hanif Jutt.

This is the second by-election in the constituency following the 2024 general elections. Initially, independent candidate Rai Murtaza Iqbal had won, but he and four other PTI-backed MPs were disqualified by the ECP in July due to their conviction by an anti-terrorism court. As a result, the ECP rescheduled a by-election for November 23, 2025, which was won by Jutt with a significant margin.

Around 1,370 polling staff, including 574 women and 796 men, were assigned to handle the 185 polling stations in the constituency. Police efforts to maintain security were also intensified, with 1,100 personnel deployed.