The Election Commission of Pakistan has rejected a request by the PTI to push by-elections on 33 National Assembly seats from March 16 to March 19.

Responding to PTI’s concerns about possible effect on voter turnout on march 16 because it is a weekday, the commission said that the day will be declared as a general holiday in the constituency so people can make it to the polling stations.

The ECP has announced by-elections on 64 of the seats where PTI members’ resignations were accepted. The first batch of 33 elections is scheduled for March 16 while 31 constituencies will go to the polls on March 19.

Ban on transfers and postings

The election commission has also put a ban on postings and transfers in the 33 constituencies of the National Assembly where by-elections are due to be held on March 16.

The commission has already also appointed returning officers and given them magisterial powers.

The ECP has also issued a code of conduct for the polls which includes instructions to candidates to sumbit transparent details about their election expenses and to cooperate with security personnel. parties have also been asked to ensure smooth polling process by appointed trained polling agents.