Lahore is gearing up for a fierce electoral battle as a staggering 470 candidates have submitted their nomination papers for the city's 14 National Assembly seats for the upcoming general elections.
This intense competition promises a vibrant and potentially unpredictable race for public office.
The provincial assembly elections are also generating immense interest, with a whopping 1,408 nomination papers filed for the 30 available seats. This signifies a diverse field of candidates vying for the opportunity to serve their constituencies.
Among the prominent figures who have thrown their hats in the ring are:
- NA-117: Around 38 candidates, including Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party President Abdul Aleem Khan, have submitted their documents for this constituency.
- NA-118: PML-N leader and son of former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz, is among the 19 candidates contesting from NA-118.
- NA-119: PML-N leader and daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, is battling it out against 34 candidates, including Aleem Khan, from this constituency.
- NA-120: Around 38 nomination papers have been submitted for this constituency, including PML-N's Maryam Nawaz, Khawaja Saad Rafique and Ayaz Sadiq.
- NA-122: Former PTI chairman Imran Khan will be up against 36 candidates from here.
- NA-123: PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and PTI leader Afzal Pahat are among the 20 contestants for this seat.
- NA-127: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and PML-N's Shaista Pervaiz Malik are among the 36 candidates for this constituency.
- NA-130: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and former PTI minister Dr Yasmin Rashid are among the 28 candidates who will fight it out for this seat.
Meanwhile, 23 nomination papers have been submitted for NA-124, 27 for NA-125, 22 for NA-126, 33 for NA-128 and 28 for NA-129 constituencies.
These are just a few of the major contenders, and the full list of candidates includes individuals from various political parties, independent hopefuls, and fresh faces seeking to enter the political arena. With such a large and diverse field, predicting the outcome of the elections is no easy feat.
The next few weeks will be crucial as the scrutiny process for nomination papers takes place and alliances are formed. Political rallies, debates, and campaigning will ramp up, promising a lively and engaging electioneering season for Lahore residents. The sheer number of candidates vying for just 14 seats guarantees a fiercely contested election, and voters will have a wide range of choices to consider when they cast their ballots.
