KARACHI: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Friday announced that the by-election for the National Assembly seat in Karachi’s NA-245 constituency will take place on July 27. The NA seat was vacated after PTI lawmaker Aamir Liaquat’s death.

Nomination papers can be submitted for the election on NA-245 from June 22 to 24, the ECP said in its statement, adding that nomination papers would be scrutinized on June 27.

It said that the electoral tribunal would publish its decision on appeals on July 4. The candidates would have until July 6 to withdraw their nomination, it added.

The seat fell vacant after the death of PTI’s Amir Liaquat in Karachi on June 9.

Earlier today, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s Muhammad Abu Bakar won the by-election in Karachi’s NA-240 constituency after defeating Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s Shahzada Shahbaz by the slimmest of margins.

The seat fell vacant upon the death of MQM-P’s Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan in April. He won the seat in 2018’s general election.

The by-poll was marred by controversy, with violent clashes between rival political parties and claims of ballot tampering and casting of bogus votes.