SHIKARPUR(National times)- Polling is underway for PS-9 Shikarpur by-election, with authorities enforcing strict security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and transparent electoral process. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, voting began at 8:00 am and will continue uninterrupted until 5:00 pm. The contest has drawn significant attention, with eight candidates in the race, including Pakistan Peoples Party nominee Agha Shehbaz Khan Durrani and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Pakistan) candidate Maulana Rushdullah Shah. The seat fell vacant following the death of former PPP lawmaker Agha Siraj Durrani, prompting the by-poll. Election officials said a total of 277,792 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the constituency. This includes 148,310 male voters and 129,482 female voters. To facilitate the voting process, 178 polling stations have been set up across the constituency, comprising 49 male, 49 female, and 80 combined polling stations. Due to security concerns, 54 polling stations have been declared highly sensitive, while 84 have been categorized as sensitive. Sindh Provincial Election Commissioner Ijaz Anwar Chauhan has issued clear directives to all relevant departments to ensure the by-election is conducted in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. Law enforcement agencies have been deployed in strength, with enhanced surveillance and patrols in sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incidents. Authorities expressed confidence that the robust security plan and coordinated administrative measures will help ensure smooth polling and uphold the integrity of the electoral process in PS-9 Shikarpur.