The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced a by-election to fill the general seat in the Senate of Pakistan that fell vacant following the disqualification of Mr. Murad Saeed from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), as ordered by the Special Court Anti-Terrorism No. 1, Rawalpindi Division, on March 7, 2026.
Why is the by-election taking place?
The seat was vacated following the disqualification of Senator Murad Saeed of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). On March 7, 2026, the Special Court Anti-Terrorism No. 1, Rawalpindi, sentenced Mr. Murad Saeed to 10 years of imprisonment under Section 19(10) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
Subsequently, on March 25, 2026, the Commission determined that Mr. Murad Saeed, who had been notified as a returned candidate on a general seat in the Senate from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa via ECP Notification No. F.3(4)/2024-Coord.Vol-I dated July 24, 2025, had become disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution. His seat was accordingly declared vacant.
Polling Day and Polling Station
The by-election is scheduled for April 23, 2026, and polling will be conducted at the Provincial Assembly building. The Commission has appointed the incumbent Provincial Election Commissioner (PEC) of KP as the Returning Officer, supported by eight polling officers drawn from the ECP’s own cadre within the PEC’s KP office.
