By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Dr Fehmida Mirza Wednesday won thumping majority in the election for the office of Speaker to the newly elected of National Assembly.
Winning the confidence of 249 members amongst 328 members who have taken oath so far, Dr Fehmida Mirza, the PPPP and coalition partners supported candidate became the first woman Speaker of the National Assembly in country’s history by securing 249 votes.
The runner up, Israr Tareen the candidate of Pakistan Muslim League and coalition partners secured 70 votes.
After the vote count completed, outgoing Speaker National Assembly Chaudhry Amir Hussain, the only Speaker in country’s history who completed tenure in the Chair, announced the result.
In all 324 votes were cast as four members including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maulvi Asmatullah, Hamid Yar Hiraj and Noorul Haq Qadri could not turn up to cast their votes.
Out of total 324 votes cast 319 votes were declared valid as Fehmida Mirza secured 249 votes, Israr Tareen got 70 votes.
Five votes were invalid and no vote was spoiled or challenged.
Polling for the office of the Speaker took two hours and 20 minutes to culminate as members went to two polling booths set up for their vote casting, one by one, after their names were called by Secretary National Assembly.