ISLAMABAD: The both houses of Parliament and four provincial assemblies are set to elect the 13th president of the country today in a three-way contest as the ruling party candidate, Dr Arif Alvi, is assured an easy win owing to failure of the opposition parties to field a joint candidate.

As many as 1,121 legislators will cast their votes in the election to the top constitutional office of president. The polling will begin at 10:00 am and continue without break till 4:00pm.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is most likely to take the Presidency as it has the highest number of party votes in the electoral college for the election.

The ruling party has pitched Dr Arif Alvi who faces Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, fielded by the opposition parties led by the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) presidential candidate Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan.

Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Raza will act as the returning officer for the presidential election, whereas the chief justices of all the four provinces will discharge their responsibilities as presiding officers.