ISLAMABAD – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday granted a two-day extension to the deadline for the submission of nomination papers by political parties.
The crucial decision comes in the lead-up to the anticipated general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.
Originally slated as the final day for the submission of nomination papers, today’s extension now has pushed the deadline to December 24th.
The move followed requests from prominent political entities including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) seeking additional time for the nomination process.
The Election Commission has promptly released a revised election schedule to accommodate the extended timeline.
According to the updated schedule, political parties have until December 24th to submit their nomination papers, and they can also submit their preferred lists for specific seats by the same date.
The scrutiny of nomination papers is scheduled to take place from December 25th to December 30th. Meanwhile, the appeals against decisions made by returning officers will be accepted until January 3rd. As per the polling schedule, the nation will head to the polls on February 8, 2024.
Simultaneously, political leaders continue to actively engage in the nomination process. Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is considering contesting the election from Lahore.
Asif Ali Zardari has decided to contest the elections form for NA-207, Nawabshah, and Maryam Nawaz has to contest elections from different five constituencies.
Intriguingly, Chairman of the Senate Sadiq Sanjrani has expressed his intent to contest the elections from National Assembly constituency 260 and Balochistan constituency 32. Fazl-ur-Rehman has obtained nomination papers to contest elections from NA-44 DI Khan while former Federal Minister of Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has submitted nomination papers for NA-53.
