Pakistan to hold by-elections next month: official

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Pakistan will next month hold by-elections to fill about 30 seats in the national and provincial assemblies, the election commission said Wednesday, revising the date for a second time.

The commission last week said it would postpone the by-elections from June 18 to August 18 for security reasons and parliamentary debate on the national budget, but the ruling coalition criticised the delay.

"By-elections will be held on June 26," election commission secretary Kanwar Dilshad told AFP.

"The election commission revised its decision after consulting major political parties and other stakeholders," Dilshad said.

The seats up for grabs in June were either vacated by candidates who won in more than one constituency in February general elections, or were not filled three months ago due to the death of a candidate or unrest.

In February, the allies of US-backed President Pervez Musahrraf were routed by the parties of slain ex-premier Benazir Bhutto and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

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