Pakistan to elect the members of Senate today

Pakistan’s political parties are set to elect the members of the Senate-the Upper House of parliament on Saturday, amid allegations that money was being used to buy votes.

The Senate has 104 members elected for six years, but half of them retire every three years at the completion of the term and new Senators are elected indirectly by provincial and national assembly through proportional representation.

A total of 135 candidates are contesting, including 20 from Pakistan People Party (PPP), 14 from Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), 13 from Pakistan Tehrke-e-Insaf (PTI) and four from Pak Sarzameen Party.

There are 65 candidates, who are independent and they also include 23 from ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N).

According to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), polling will be held at the four provincial and the national assembly buildings. It will start at 9 am and will continue till 4 pm.