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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) concluded the filing of nomination papers for the February 8 general election today (Sunday) at 4:30 pm.
As per the original election schedule released on December 15, the process for filing nomination papers for national and provincial assembly seats started on December 20 and was initially slated to end at 4:30 pm on Friday. However, in response to requests from political parties and to facilitate the candidacy process, the ECP extended the deadline to December 24 (today), as announced in a statement.
The scrutiny process for the nomination papers is scheduled to take place between December 25 and 30, adhering to the previously released election schedule. The statement emphasized that all activities outlined in the schedule would proceed as planned.
According to the ECP schedule, the last date for filing appeals against the Returning Officer’s decision on the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers is January 3, with the appellate tribunal set to decide on appeals by January 10. The revised list of candidates will be published on January 11, and the deadline for withdrawing candidacy is January 12. Political parties will be allotted election symbols on January 13, leading up to the polls on February 8.
Earlier today, PTI leaders Murad Saeed and Hammad Azhar submitted their nomination papers in their respective constituencies. Hammad Azhar noted in a social media post that he was able to submit his papers following a court order and intervention by the district returning office (DRO) of Lahore. Murad Saeed, on the other hand, had his nomination submitted through his lawyers from NA-3 and NA-4 in Swat.
The PML-N shared a video of PML-N Lawyers’ Forum representative Rafaqat Dogar submitting Nawaz Sharif’s papers for NA-130. The PPP reported that Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari personally delivered his nomination papers for NA-194 and NA-196 to the ROs in Larkana and Qamber-Shahdadkot.
Additionally, a lawyer and activist announced the submission of his nomination papers for NA-241 and PS-110, expressing the belief that politics is the best means to serve and represent the people. He advocated for allowing all candidates to contest polls without coercion or fear.
