ISLAMABAD, MAR 12 (DNA) – A rugged contest is likely to take place today (Monday) for the Senate chairmanship as the opposition parties have joined hands together against the ruling coalition.

The voting for Senate’s chairman and deputy chairman will begin at 4:00 pm.

Ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has announced to field senator Raja Zafarul Haq as candidate for Senate chairman, while Usman Kakar for the deputy chairman seat.

On the other hand, the opposition parties have agreed on independent senator-elect Sadiq Sanjrani for the coveted post of Senate chairman.

A tough contest is expected between nominees of the opposition and ruling coalition as the separate claims of garnering ample support of senators in the 104-house to elect its nominee with ease.

Pakistan’s Senate comprises of 104 members and to replace the outgoing Senate chairman Raza Rabbani with their candidates, the mainstream parties need at least 53 votes.

The PML-N with its independent candidates emerged as the largest parliamentary group of the house with 33 Senators. While, the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has overall 20 seats in the Senate and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stands third major party in the Senate with 13 seats.

The groups of independent senators-elect from Balochistan and Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (Fata) are believed to play a crucial role in the upcoming election for the offices of Senate chairman and deputy chairman.

The groups of independent senators-elect enjoy the support of Imran Khan-led PTI and former president Asif Ali Zardari-led PPP.

Swearing-in of Senators

In the session today, the newly elected 51 senators took oath to secure their respective seats of the upper house after which the session had adjourned.

The oath-taking ceremony was administered by presiding officer Senator Yaqoob Nasir.

Following the adjournment of the session, nomination papers for the Senate chairman and deputy Chairman were submitted at the house of 104-members.

As per constitutional provisions, half of the senators retire every three years.

Casting of votes for Senate top seats

After swearing-in of senators, the newly formed Senate is all set to elect its chairman and deputy chairman each with a majority vote of at least 53 members as the session will resume at 4:00 pm.

The PTI has announced to support candidates from Balochistan and Fata for Senate chairman and deputy chairman offices, respectively.

On late Sunday night following a party meeting, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari announced that his party decided to back Sadiq Sanjrani for the office of Senate chairman and field Saleem Mandviwalla for deputy chairman.

PPP and PTI have joined hands to support Sanjrani for the coveted office of the Upper House.