ISLAMABAD: A total of 131 candidates are left in the run for 52 Senate seats after four were elected unopposed from Sindh on Saturday.

According to the final list of candidates released by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) late on Saturday night, 84 candidates will be contesting for 33 general seats, 21 for nine seats reserved for women, 18 for eight seats reserved for ulema and technocrats, and eight for two seats reserved for non-Muslims.

Read: 184 candidates submit nomination papers for Senate elections: ECP

From the Federal Capital, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and Muhammad Ashraf Gujjar of PML-N, former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf’s brother Raja Imran Ashraf (PPP) and Syed Zulfikar Ali of MQM will contest the election for a single general seat, while Nargis Nasir (PML-N), Nargis Faiz Malik (PPP) and Bisma Asif and Shumaila Shahab of MQM are in the run for the one seat reserved for women.

Eighty-four in the run for 33 general seats

For seven general seats from Punjab, nine PML-N candidates and a solitary PPP man are the only contenders after the withdrawal of nomination papers by PPP’s Shaukat Mehmood. Those left in the race include retired Lt Gen Abdul Qayyum, Saud Majeed, Pervaiz Rashid, Mushahidullah Khan, Chaudhry Tanvir Khan, Ghous Mohammad Khan Niazi, Syed Nihal Hashmi, Khawaja Mehmood Ahmad and Saleem Zia, and Nadeem Afzal Chan of PPP.

Also read: MQM, PPP reach accord on Senate polls, coalition govt in Sindh

After the withdrawal of candidature by Kiran Imran Dar, only two PML-N candidates are left for two reserved seats for women. They are Najma Hameed and Ayesha Raza Farooq. PPP’s Sarwat Kanwal is also in the race.

Raja Muhammad Zafarul Haq and Prof Sajid Mir (PML-N) and Malik Nosher Khan Langrial of PPP will be contesting for two reserved seats for ulema and technocrats.

Also read: Wealthy candidates in Senate polls set alarm bells ringing in PTI

After the withdrawal of candidature by 10 candidates, eight are left in the arena for a fight for seven general seats from Sindh. Those who will contest include Rehman Malik, Saleem Mandwiwala, Islamuddin Sheikh, Abdul Latif Ansari and Gianchand (PPP), Khushbakht Shujaat and Mian Ateeq Sheikh (MQM) and Imamuddin Shoqeen (PML-F).

Sassui Palijo (PPP) and Nighat Mirza (MQM) unofficially won unopposed on two seats reserved for women after rest of the four candidates opted out of the contest. Likewise former Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek (PPP) and Muhammad Ali Saif (MQM) were elected unopposed on two seats reserved for technocrats after withdrawal of candidature by Rehman Malik (PPP) and Abdul Kadir Khanzada (MQM).

Also read: Property tycoon ‘invests’ in Senate elections

In KP, 12 candidates are left in the race for seven general seats after withdrawal of candidature by two PTI, one Jamaat-i-Islami and one Qaumi Watan Party candidate. PTI candidates include Mohsin Aziz and Syed Shibli Faraz. Others in the race are heavyweights including JI chief Sirajul Haq, JUI-F chief’s brother Attaur Rahman, Haji Muhammad Adeel (ANP), retired Lt Gen Salahuddin Tirmizi.

Six candidates will be vying for two seats reserved for women, six or two reserved for technocrats and three for one reserved for non-Muslims.

Also read: 87 aspiring Senate candidates appear before PML-N board

In Balochistan, 14 candidates will be contesting the elections against seven general seats while six will fight the electoral battle for two seats reserved for women, seven for two reserved for technocrats and five for one seat for non-Muslims.

In Fata, 36 candidates are in the run for four general seats.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play