The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has completed all preparations to hold polling for the National and Provincial assemblies next month. While talking to state-run TV, ECP Spokesperson Syed Nadeem Haider urged the general public to exercise their right to vote on polling day. The spokesperson mentioned that election symbols have been allocated to the contesting candidates, and the ECP is set to start the printing of ballot papers. Syed Nadeem Haider also stated that monitoring cells have been set up at the provincial level as well as at the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad to ensure the implementation of the election Code of Conduct. Earlier, the Election Commission has unveiled the preliminary list of candidates contending for seats reserved for minorities in the National Assembly.

According to list issued by ECP, nomination papers of 37 candidates have been approved for the 10 National Assembly seats. In light of the Supreme Court’s decision, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is excluded from the competition for minority seats as they did not secure the election symbol. According to the schedule issued by the Election Commission, appeals for the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers by returning officers can be submitted until January 16, and the Appellate Tribunal will hear them until January 19. The revised list of candidates will be released on January 20, withdrawal of nomination papers can be done until January 22, and the final list of candidates will be unveiled on January 23.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)