The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) sought a two-day extension on Thursday for the filing of nomination papers for the upcoming February 2024 elections.
Senator Ishaq Dar, who is also the chairman of the party’s election cell, wrote a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) stating that hundreds of candidates would like to participate in the elections, so it is “requested that only a two-day extension is granted in filing nomination papers by amending the schedule issued on December 15, 2023, without changing the polling day, i.e., February 8, 2024.”
“A review of the schedule indicates that nomination papers are only scheduled to be filed for three days, while nomination papers are scheduled to be scrutinized for seven days,” the letter said.
For facilitation of candidates for General Elections 2024! pic.twitter.com/O1oiE1Dx4K
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) December 21, 2023
Aspiring candidates must submit their candidature papers between December 20 and 22, 2023, with the electoral watchdog scheduling the review days from December 24 to 30, 2023.
Candidates flock to get Nominations
According to the ECP schedule, the procedure would start when the electoral body swears in district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs) in compliance with the Elections Act of 2017.
Candidates considering running for office can now submit their nomination papers, starting the first stage of the campaign leading up to the much-awaited polls.
The rules for submitting these important nomination documents have been outlined by the ECP. The cost is Rs 30,000 for those hoping to be elected to the National Assembly and Rs 20,000 for provincial assemblies.
Up to five nomination papers may be submitted by prospective candidates. The deadline for submissions is December 20–22, and nominations can be made in person at the returning officer’s office.
Similar to this, the ECP has established qualifying requirements, stating that applicants must be nationals of Pakistan and be at least 25 years old at the time of submission. Moreover, candidates for the National Assembly may be from anywhere in Pakistan, but candidates for provincial assemblies must reside in the relevant province.