LAHORE, SEPT 17 (DNA) – The polling for much-hyped NA-120 by-election has on Sunday started and voters have started casting their votes.

It is the first time in Pakistan that biometric verification machines have been installed at 39 polling stations.

At least 44 candidates, including Begum Kulsoom Nawaz of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Dr Yasmin Rashid of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Faisal Mir of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), are contesting the election.

A close contest is expected between Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, wife of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid.

There are 321,786 registered voters in the constituency who will exercise their right to vote today. The Election Commission of Pakistan has set up 220 polling stations for the voters.

Election campaign for the by-poll ended at midnight falling between Friday and Saturday.

It is pertinent to mention here that the seat fell vacant after Supreme Court (SC) disqualified Nawaz Sharif over Panama Leaks case on July 28.