The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has unveiled the timetable for the upcoming by-elections for both National Assembly and provincial assembly seats across the country.
Scheduled for April 21, the by-elections will fill vacant seats in various assemblies, including six seats in the National Assembly, 12 in the Punjab Assembly, and two each in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan assemblies. Additionally, one seat in the Sindh Assembly is also up for grabs on the same day.
Nomination papers can be filed by candidates with the respective returning officers from March 16 to 18, with the publication of candidate names set for March 18. Scrutiny of candidatures will take place until March 21, and appeals against the decisions of returning officers can be filed by March 25.
The revised list of candidates will be published on March 28, while the final date for withdrawal of candidature and the publication of the revised list is March 29. Election symbols will be allotted on March 30, leading up to polling day on April 21.
The ECP has already begun preparations for the by-elections, with measures in place to ensure a transparent and efficient voting process. Special paper for ballot papers has been arranged, and ECP officers will serve as returning officers to oversee the electoral process and enforce electoral laws and regulations.
These by-elections are necessitated by various vacancies left by political leaders. Notable among these is the NA-207 seat previously held by Asif Ali Zardari, who vacated the position upon assuming the presidency. Similarly, Maryam Nawaz and Ali Amin Gandapur have vacated their seats in the National Assembly upon assuming roles as chief ministers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, respectively. Additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has left vacant one seat each in the National and Punjab Assemblies.
