In anticipation of the nation’s impending general elections on February 8, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) officially began accepting nomination papers today, December 20, providing a window of opportunity for potential candidates to formally enter the race.
ECP Starts Accepting Nomination Papers From Today
As per the Elections Act 2017, the procedure will start after the electoral body swears in DROs and ROs. This is anticipated to happen today.
Candidates considering running for politics can now submit their nomination papers, starting the first stage of the campaign leading up to the much awaited polls.
The rules for submitting these important nomination documents have outlined by the ECP.
The cost is Rs. 30,000 for individuals hoping to elect for the National Assembly and Rs. 20,000 for provincial assemblies.
Up to five nomination papers can submit by prospective candidates.
Submission Deadline
The deadline for submissions is December 20–22, and nominations can made in person at the returning officer’s office.
Similar to this, the ECP established qualifying requirements, stating that applicants must be nationals of Pakistan and should at least 25 years old at the time of submission.
Moreover, candidates for the National Assembly can from anywhere in Pakistan, but candidates for provincial assemblies must reside in the relevant province.
In addition, the commission set particular requirements for women running for NA reserved seats, including the requirement that they be registered voters in the province in question.
Scrutiny Process
A preliminary list of candidates will release on December 23 after the submission phase, and from December 24 to December 30, a screening procedure will follow.
However, appeal against acceptance or denial can file in January; results anticipated from the appellate panel by January 10.
On January 11, a revised list of candidates will release, giving nomination papers a chance to withdraw until January 12.
Lastly, January 13 is the day that election emblems, a crucial component of the voting process, will be assigned.
Nomination Forms For 3 NA Seats Available
Meanwhile, nomination forms for 3 NA seats became available on the first day nomination papers released in the capital city.
However, nomination forms submitted by 82 candidates from three constituencies in Islamabad.
The district returning officer’s office attested to the fact that these forms distributed to NA constituencies NA-46, NA-47, and NA-48.
Public notices clearly displayed information relevant to the nomination process outside the offices of the returning officers, guaranteeing accessibility and transparency for prospective candidates.
Moreover, nomination papers distributed by the district returning officer, who was in charge of all RO offices.
He said that the distribution of the papers lasted until late afternoon and ended at half past four.
To read our blog on “ECP likely to issue elections schedule on 14th December,” click here.
