The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday has extended its deadline for filing of nomination papers for the Feb 8 general elections by two dates. Alongside this, ECP has ensured that the extension of nomination filling dates will not affect the poll date.
With less than over a month left for the polls, the electoral watchdog has entered into election mode. During the last week, the ECP has issued the election schedule, putting an end to the uncertainty surrounding the exercise.
According to the original schedule, the process to file the nomination papers for the national and provincial assemblies seats began on December 20.
Whereas, the electoral watchdog in the press release, has made announcement that the nomination papers can now be filed till December 24. It stated that the decision was taken in reply to the requests from political parties and to facilitate the candidacy process.
It highlighted that, “Political parties must submit priority lists for the specific seats to returning officers within the given time period.”
Meanwhile, the electoral watchdog has also made confirmation that the amended schedule was available on the ECP website. The statement further made emphasize that the changes did not affect the poll date and that elections will take place on February 8.
The recent change in the decision of ECP comes a day after the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader, Ishaq Dar wrote a letter to the ECP asking for two-days extension in the deadline for submitting the nomination papers.
For facilitation of candidates for General Elections 2024! pic.twitter.com/O1oiE1Dx4K
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) December 21, 2023
PML-N Leader Dar also took it to his official social media handle to share the letter requesting the ECP for extension of two days for filing the nomination papers.
At the same time, the PML-N senator highlighted that only three days had been given for the filing of nomination papers while seven days had been given for the scrutiny of the same.
