Record 28,626 file nominations with ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has received a record number of 28,626 nomination papers from potential candidates across the country by Sunday — the deadline for submission of papers.

As per the ECP data, a total of 7,713 potential candidates have submitted their nomination papers for National Assembly (general), and 18,546 for all four provincial assemblies (general) seats.

The data shows 7,242 men, along with 471 women, filed nomination papers for the National Assembly seats (general), whereas for four provincial assemblies, 17,744 men and 802 women submitted their papers for the general election, being held on February 8, 2024.

The ECP started scrutiny of the nominations on Monday, and it would complete the process on Saturday, December 30, 2023.

According to the schedule, announced earlier, appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers could be submitted from January 3, 2024, and decisions on these appeals would be made by January 10.

The ECP would issue the list of candidates on January 11, with candidates having the option to withdraw until January 12 i.e., before the ECP allots electoral symbol on January 13.

ECP Spokesman Haroon Shinwari explained on Monday that during the scrutiny of nomination papers, the defaulting candidates should approach the returning officer concerned from Dec 25 to 30, 2023.

The ECP underlined that recovery of dues from defaulters should be ensured and all federal, provincial institutions of the government should contact the returning officers immediately.

According to Section 62 of the Act, which relates to scrutiny, any voter of a constituency may file objections to the candidature of a candidate of that constituency, who has been nominated or whose name has been included in the party list, submitted by a political party for election to an assembly before the returning officer within the period, specified by the commission for scrutiny of nomination papers of candidates contesting election to an assembly.

“The candidates, their election agents, the proposers and seconders and one other person authorised in this behalf by each candidate, and a voter, who has filed an objection under sub-section (1), may attend the scrutiny of nomination papers, and the returning officer…,” reads the section.

Likewise, under Section 63 of the Act, “a candidate or the objector may, within the time specified by the commission, file an appeal against the decision of the returning officer rejecting or accepting a nomination paper to an appellate tribunal constituted for the constituency consisting of a person, who is a judge of a high court, appointed by the commission in consultation with the chief justice of the high court concerned…

“An appellate tribunal shall summarily decide an appeal, filed under sub-section (1) within such time as may be notified by the commission and any order passed on the appeal shall be final.

“(3) If the appellate tribunal is not able to decide the appeal within the time fixed by the commission under sub-section (2), the appeal shall abate and decision of the returning officer shall be final”.

As per the data, shared by the ECP, a total of 459 and 1,365 nomination papers have been received by the electoral body for the reserved seats for national and provincial legislature, respectively.

Meanwhile, for the reserved seats for non-Muslims, 361 men and 32 women have submitted their nomination papers for provincial assemblies. For National Assembly seats, the number stands at 140 and 10, respectively.

The ECP also started scrutiny of nomination papers for women reserved seats on Monday, according to the sources.

Details of nomination papers, filed in all four provinces is as under: Sindh: The ECP received a total of 6,498 nomination papers in the province, with 1,681 candidates seeking to contest polls for the National Assembly (general), whereas 4,265 nomination papers were submitted for provincial assembly seats (general).

A total of 427 nomination papers were filed for women’s reserved seats, along with 125, who seek to contest polls from the reserved seats for non-Muslims in the province.

KP: A total of 5,278 nomination papers have been filed in the province, with 1,322 candidates seeking to contest polls for the National Assembly (general), whereas 3,464 nomination papers were submitted for provincial assembly seats (general).

A total of 418 nomination papers were filed for women’s reserved seats, along with 74 non-Muslims applying to contest elections from their respective reserved seats.

Balochistan: The top electoral body received a total of 2,669 nomination papers of which 631 were for general National Assembly seats, whereas 1,788 were for general provincial assembly seats.

Meanwhile, 183 women, along with 67 non-Muslims, submitted nomination papers for their reserved seats, respectively.

Punjab: The province saw a total of 13,823 nomination papers being filed with 3,871 and 9,029 nomination papers being filed for National and provincial assembly seats (general), respectively.

A total of 796 and 127 people filed their nomination papers for the reserved seats for women and non-Muslims, respectively.

Islamabad: The federal capital saw a total of 208 people submitting their nomination papers for the National Assembly (general), whereas 150 nomination papers were filed on the reserved seats for non-Muslims.

Meanwhile, the ECP established an online facilitation centre at its secretariat, being supported by various government departments.

According to ECP Spokesman Haroon Shinwari, the facilitation centre is being supported by National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and is working 24/7.

“Data of candidates received from the returning officers is being sent to these institutions for necessary action. The Election Commission has also informed the secretary Power Division, secretary Petroleum Division, secretary National Telecommunication Division, secretary Housing and Works Division, four chief secretaries and chairman CDA in writing to get the lists of candidates from returning officers,” he noted.

According to a relevant development, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Establishment Ahad Khan Cheema, was removed from their posts on Monday “to ensure free and fair elections in the country”.

Earlier, President Dr Arif Alvi approved removal of Ahad Khan Cheema from his post after Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar sent a summary for the purpose, on the instructions of the ECP. The president approved the removal under Article 48-1 of the Constitution. The ECP had ordered for removal of Ahad Cheema from his office in connection with measures being taken for free and fair polls.

Also, in line with the ECP directions, the Establishment Division Monday removed Islamabad IGP Dr Akbar Nisar Khan and DC Irfan Nawaz Memon from their posts with an immediate effect.

Akbar Nisar was appointed as the top cop in the federal capital in May 2022, by the former Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led coalition government.

In October, the ECP had asked the interior ministry to transfer the officers after different political parties filed complaints against them fearing they might influence the outcome of the upcoming elections.

Interim PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar has asked the Establishment Division to propose a panel of officers to fill the vacant posts.

The ECP has also removed cabinet members from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s interim cabinet due to allegations that they were involved in political activities.