Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI) on Wednesday has demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to amend the election schedule, requesting an extension to the deadline for receiving nomination papers. Senator Kamran Murtaza, a JUI representative, wrote a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, expressing concerns about the limited time allotted for submitting nomination papers. The current schedule allows only three days for this crucial step. Murtaza argued that political parties need more time to distribute tickets to candidates at both the national and provincial levels. He proposed adding three days to the nomination paper receipt period to facilitate this process. To compensate for the extended nomination window, Murtaza suggested reducing the time for scrutiny of nomination papers from seven days to four days. He believes this adjustment would still allow elections to be held on the scheduled date of February 8th. The JUI senator emphasized that his party has no objection to the overall election schedule or other stages.

However, he cited Section 58 of the Election Act, which grants the ECP the authority to make necessary changes to the schedule.Murtaza expressed confidence that extending the nomination deadline would benefit JUI and other political parties, ensuring a smoother and more inclusive electoral process. The ECP has yet to respond to JUI's request. The commission is likely to consider the proposal and make a decision in the coming days. JUI's demand highlights the challenges faced by political parties in the lead-up to the upcoming elections. With limited time and resources, ensuring fair and equal participation for all candidates remains a critical concern. The ECP's decision on JUI's request could have a significant impact on the overall conduct of the elections. It is important to note that other political parties have also raised concerns about the election schedule. Some have called for a delay in the elections, citing logistical challenges and security concerns. The ECP is facing pressure from various stakeholders to address these concerns and ensure a successful election process.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)