ISLAMABAD, 2 January 2006 — Fifty members of the Senate (upper house) will be retired through a draw today, Senate Chairman Wasim Sajjad said yesterday.
Sajjad said, “The house has completed three years. Senators are elected for three and six years’ terms. He said the provision of draw for retiring senators is prescribed in Election Commission rules. Two slips will be taken out from two boxes. One slip will contain the name of the senator and the other will have the tenure period. “Those who will fall in the category of ‘three years’ will retire today and those who will fall in the category of ‘six years’ will complete their complete term,” Sajjad said.
Sajjad said, “To fill 50 vacancies of the Senate the Election Commission will announce polling schedule.”
Since the ruling coalition has a thin majority in the Senate, if it loses its majority during today’s draw it will face difficulties in the upper house.
