All set for presidential polls as Zardari, Achakzai’s nomination papers accepted

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday accepted the nomination papers of allied parties’ nominee Asif Ali Zardari and PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) candidate Mahmood Khan Achakzai for the upcoming presidential elections.

According to details, both leaders submitted their nomination papers for the presidneial elections – slated to be held on March 9.

Candidates can opt out of the contest by March 6, and polling is scheduled to take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on March 9 at Parliament House in Islamabad and the provincial Assembly buildings in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta.

Former president Asif Zardari is being backed by the PML-N-led eight-party coalition as per an understanding reached after the February 8 elections, while nationalist leader Mahmood Achakzai is the candidate of the PTI-Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) alliance.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Advocate Farooq H. Naek were the former president’s proposer and seconder, respectively. PTI’s Asad Qaiser and Ali Mohammad Khan were the proposer and seconder of Achakzai, respectively.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq will preside over the election proceedings in the National Assembly where MNAs and senators will poll their votes.

The presidential election is taking place in line with Article 41(4) of the Constitution, which states that the election for the president must take place within 30 days after the general elections.

Since the general elections were held on Feb 8, the presidential election is required to be conducted by March 9, two days before the retirement of half of the senators after completing their six-year term.