The Election Commission of Pakistan has extended the last date for submission of nomination papers for the forthcoming elections by another two days, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.
The ECP earlier announced December 22 as the last date for the filing of nomination papers. But on the appeal of political parties, the commission has decided to extend the submission date by another two days.
According to the ECP, the last date for the nomination papers submission has now been extended to Dec 24 from Dec 22.
The scrutiny of papers will be done from Dec 25 to Dec 30. Political parties can also give the priority list of the reserved seats by December 24, the returning officers will be bound to complete the process of scrutiny of nomination papers from December 25 to 30, according to the ECP.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Thursday joined the JUI-F and MQM-Pakistan in demanding an extension in the date for submission of nomination papers for the February 8 general elections.
In a letter written to the ECP, PML-N Election Cell Chairman Senator Ishaq Dar sought a two-day extension in date for submitting nomination papers.
According to the earlier schedule issued by the ECP, the Commission was to receive the 11-page nominations papers until Friday (December 22) and publish the list of candidates on Saturday and start the scrutiny process from Sunday to 30th of this month. Appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers were to be filed by 3rd of next month, which were to be decided by Appellate Tribunals till 10th of next month.
The revised list of candidates was announced to be be displayed on 11 January and candidates were supposed to withdraw their papers till 12 January.
The Election Commission was to allot election symbols to the political parties and independent candidates on 13th of next month while polling to be held on 8th of February.
In his letter, Ishaq Dar urged the ECP that the date for submission of nomination papers should be extended but there should be no change in the date for holding general elections.
The letter further said that the candidates need more time for submission of nomination papers and NOCs so they must be given more time.
The letter elaborated that candidates have to arrange other documents including obtaining NOCs from different departments which will be submitted along with the nomination papers. “They need to complete the documentation otherwise their nomination papers will be rejected,” Dar said.
The PML-N leader stressed that in order to facilitate the candidates the submission date should be extended by two days without altering the polling date.
Reporter Usman Khan