ECP gets Rs10bn for Punjab elections

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Finance on Saturday released Rs10bn for the Punjab Assembly elections – which are to be held on May 14 as directed by the Supreme Court, ARY News reported on Saturday citing sources.

A three-member bench — comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar declared the ECP’s order postponing the provincial assembly elections until October 8 as “unconstitutional” and ordered the government to release Rs21 billion funds for elections in Punjab by April 10.

According to sources, the finance ministry has released Rs10 billion for Punjab elections while remaining Rs11bn for KP Assembly elections would be released after announcement of polls schedule in the province.

The electoral watchdog had demanded Rs21 billion for the organization of elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Punjab election schedule

Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan announced the schedule for elections in Punjab — which are to be held on May 14.

According to the electoral watchdog (ECP) notification, the polling for the Punjab Assembly elections will be held on May 14, 2023. The ECP also withdrew its earlier schedule regarding the holding of general elections in Punjab in October.

As per the schedule, appeals can be filed against the decisions of Returning Officers regarding rejection or accepting nomination papers on April 10.

April 17 will be the last date for deciding on appeals by the Appellate Tribunal, and the revised lists of candidates will be published on April 18, the ECP notification stated.

The withdrawal of candidature can be done till April 19 while the candidates will be allotted election symbols on April 20, 2023. The polling will be held on May 14.