The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is set to hold an election for the office of President of Pakistan on tomorrow (Saturday), during the joint session of the parliament from 10am to 4pm, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

During electoral event, PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari will face Mahmood Khan Achakzai, chairman of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), who was nominated as presidential candidate by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

The president will be elected via secret ballot in a special session of the parliament, Senate, and all four provincial assemblies under Article 41(3) of the Constitution, after the formation of the Electoral College.

The Electoral College of 692 votes includes 96 senators, 336 Members of the National Assembly (MNAs), and 260 votes from the four provincial assemblies.

According to the Second Schedule, the candidate obtaining the largest number of votes would be declared winner by the chief election commissioner (CEC) while the federal government will declare the results of the presidential election via a public notification.

It is pertinent to mention that Asif Zardari has got the support of six-party alliance, including PML-N, PPP, MQM and other small parties, which formed a coalition government at the Centre under the Premiership of Shehbaz Sharif.

Zardari previously served as the president from September 2008 to 2013 after the resignation of the military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

Article 41(4) of the Constitution says that “election to the office of president shall be held not earlier than sixty days and not later than thirty days before the expiration of the term of the president in office: Provided that, if the election cannot be held within the period aforesaid because the National Assembly is dissolved, it shall be held within thirty days of the general election to the Assembly".

Since the general elections were held on February 8, the presidential election is required to be conducted by March 9, just two days before the retirement of half of the 100-member Senate.

Article 44(1) of the Constitution says that the president will hold office for a term of five years from the day he assumes charge, but he continues to hold the office until a successor is chosen.

Polling in Punjab Assembly:

Polling will be held tomorrow in Punjab Assembly for presidential elections. The polling process will start at 10am and will continue till 4pm sharp.

Election Commission has declared Punjab Assembly as a polling station for the voting of presidential election. The members have been directed to come for voting by holding with their original CNICs.

Polling in Sindh Assembly:

Meanwhile, Speaker Sindh Assembly has also declared Sindh Assembly as polling station for presidential election which will be held tomorrow between 10am to 4pm.

Sindh Assembly will be handed over to Election Commission today for polling arrangements. The elections will be held under the guidance of Sindh Election Commissioner.

Reporters: Rao Dilshad, Ajiz Jamali