Scrutiny of nomination papers ends today

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is to wrap up Tuesday (today) the process of scrutiny of nomination papers submitted by candidates for coming general elections.

The returning officers will continue the scrutiny process today as a large number of election candidates’ papers have already been either accepted or rejected, while decision on objections to various candidates’ nomination forms are due today.

A total of 21,482 nomination papers were filed across the country for national and provincial assemblies, according to the ECP.

For 342 seats of the National Assembly, 6, 063 candidates are contesting, while 15,419 hopefuls competing for the provincial assemblies’ seats.

As per the election schedule, appeals against rejection or acceptance of nomination papers can be filed by 22nd of this month.

The Appellate Tribunals will decide the appeals by 27th, after which the revised list of candidates will be published on 28th of this month.

Candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by 29th June and the electoral body will announce the final list of candidates the same day.

The election commission will allot the electoral symbols to candidates on 30th June while polling will be held on 25th of the next month.

ECP spokesman Altaf Khan in a statement has clarified that time for scrutiny of nomination papers will not be extended. He said there is no proposal under consideration in this regard.