Islamabad March 12 (TNS): Except for senator-elect Ishaq Dar, 51 senators-elect were sworn in the oath of office in the Parliament House on Monday who along with other senators will use their ballot to elect the chairman and deputy chairman of the Upper House of Parliament.
The oath of office was administered by Presiding Officer Senator Sardar Yaqoob Naser.
The polling for the election of the chairman and deputy chairman will be held at 4 pm today.
The PML-N has nominated Raja Zafarul Haq for Senate chairman slot and Senator Usman Kakar for the deputy chairman position. The PkMAP, the NP, the JUI-F, the JI and the ANP have announced to support the PML-N candidate while the PPP, the PTI and other smaller groups have agreed to vote for independent senator Sadiq Sanjrani from Balochistan for the top slot.
It seems there will be a neck and neck contest for the two top slots and both the camps claim to have the required strength — 53 votes — to grab the two top slots.
The MQM-P and FATA senators could play a crucial role in swinging the balance and their support will be crucial to get the two coveted slots in the Upper House of Parliament.
The PML-N has 34 members, while its allies PkMAP has five, NP five, JUI-F four and PML-Functional has one seat and the total number reaching 48. The PML-N will require five extra votes to win the top slot and if FATA senators favour the ruling camp, they will have a smooth sailing.
