Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has expressed his intention to run in the upcoming general election from Lahore.
It is revealed that he has obtained nomination papers for the NA-128 constituency in Lahore, and these will be submitted pending approval from the PPP’s parliamentary board. Sources suggest that PPP leaders have encouraged Bilawal Bhutto, who has also obtained nomination papers for the NA-194 constituency in Larkana, to contest elections from Lahore.
In adherence to the election schedule, candidates can file nomination papers with respective returning officers from December 20 to 22, and the names of all nominated candidates will be published on December 23. The electoral body’s guidelines stipulate that a candidate must be accompanied by two voters from the same constituency to propose and second the nomination. However, an individual cannot serve as a proposer or seconder for more than one candidate.
Meanwhile, major political parties, including PML-N and MQM-P, have requested an extension of the December 22 deadline for filing nomination papers for the upcoming general elections.
As per the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) schedule, the last date for filing appeals against decisions of the Returning Officers regarding the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers is December 24-30. The Appellate Tribunal is expected to decide on appeals by January 03, 2024. The deadline for deciding appeals against decisions of the Returning Officers, regarding acceptance or rejection, by the appellate tribunal is January 10, 2024. A revised list of candidates will be published on January 12, and election symbols will be allotted on January 13, with polling scheduled for February 08, 2024.
This election program is also applicable to seats reserved for women and non-Muslims in the National Assembly and provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh, KP, and Balochistan provinces. The last date for filing a separate priority list for seats reserved for women and non-Muslims before the Returning Officer is December 22, 2023.
