The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a reminder to all candidates contesting reserved seats for women and minority groups in both national and provincial assemblies to submit their election expenses by February 21.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, the ECP emphasized that candidates listed in Form 33, including those vying for reserved seats for women and minority groups, must promptly submit their election expenses. The deadline for submitting election expenses is February 21, and candidates must furnish Form C to the respective Returning Officer before the specified cutoff date.
The ECP cautioned that failure to comply with the election code of conduct could result in withholding notifications regarding the reserved seats’ winners. According to Section 104 of the Election Act 2017, contesting political parties must submit the list of reserved candidates before the elections.
“A candidate contesting a seat reserved for women or non-Muslims must file the nomination papers on the designated Form on or before the last date fixed for filing nomination papers for the election. The nomination papers shall undergo scrutiny like that of candidates contesting general seats under section 62,” the statement outlined.
The directive underscores the ECP’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process. By adhering to the stipulated guidelines and deadlines, candidates can contribute to maintaining the integrity and fairness of the electoral system, thereby upholding the principles of democracy and representation.
