A by-election for a Senate seat from Punjab, vacated after the disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ejaz Chaudhry in the May 9 cases, set to be held on Tuesday in the Punjab Assembly.

The ruling coalition has fielded Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah as its candidate, while the Opposition nominated Chaudhry’s wife, Salma Ejaz. However, the contest appears one-sided after the Opposition announced it would not cast votes.

Deputy Opposition Leader Moin Qureshi said the Opposition has decided to boycott the election, warning that any member who enters the House tomorrow would violate party policy.

He added that nomination papers could not be withdrawn as the deadline had expired.

According to Assembly figures, Rana Sanaullah enjoys the backing of 263 lawmakers, well above the required 180 votes for victory.

Salma Ejaz has 100 votes of nominal support from the Opposition.

The Punjab Assembly has a strength of 371 seats, but currently 363 are occupied, with eight vacant due to disqualifications and pending oaths.

The PML-N holds 229 seats, PPP 16, IPP 7, and PML-Q 11, while the Sunni Ittehad Council has 73, PTI 24, and TLP, PML-Zia, and MWM hold one each.

Voting will take place without break from 9.00am to 5.00pm inside the new Punjab Assembly building under tight security.