The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has postponed the Senate by-election for the seat vacated by disqualified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry.According to the ECP's notification issued today, the poll was initially scheduled for August 21 but has now been put on hold due to an incomplete electoral college in the Punjab Assembly. 

The decision follows the disqualification of Senator Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution, which bars individuals from public office if they are convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude and sentenced to more than two years in prison. 

Chaudhry was convicted and sentenced to 10 years by Anti-Terrorism Court No-III, Lahore, in connection with the May 9 violence on Sherpao Bridge, in a case titled The State vs Dr Yasmin Rashid, etc. The ECP formally revoked its earlier notification from March 10, 2021, which had declared Chaudhry a senator. The Commission confirmed that the new election date will be announced later.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)