ECP seeks fresh applications for party symbols

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sought fresh applications from all political parties desiring to contest the next general election for allotment of election symbols. 

According to ECP officials, political parties will be able to submit applications in this regard from May 15.  The electoral body has laid down a set of conditions for allotment of election symbols.

Among other requirements one related to the representation of women from each party.  All political parties enlisted with the election commission are required to submit an affidavit to the effect that they will give at least five percent of their tickets to women through a democratic procedure on general seats in terms of Section 206 of the Election Act.

Failing to do so, they will not be allotted election symbols.

Lately, the ECP clarified that it has not yet decided on any particular date to hold general elections 2018.

The clarification came in the wake of media reports that the commission decided July 26 as the day of elections in the country. The wide circulation of media reports on election date prompted the ECP to issue a clarification.

“Neither has a date been fixed for the upcoming polls nor is any particular date being considered,” the ECP said today. The election commission further said there is no veracity in any such report.

Meanwhile, the ECP has also set a period of four weeks between submission of nomination papers and putting of final lists of candidates besides a period of 8 days for scrutiny of nomination papers.

It is also reported that the ECP has appointed district returning officers (DROs), returning officers (ROs) and assistant returning officers (AROs) for the upcoming general elections.