Islamabad (June 29, 2018): Today is the last day to withdraw the nomination papers. Candidates unwilling to contest the General Election 2018 have until today evening to withdraw their nomination papers.
After election tribunals wrapped up verdicts on appeals against objections to the decisions of returning officers on June 27, the revised list of candidates was issued on June 28.
The electoral body will announce the final list of candidates today.
Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday asked candidates to submit party affiliation certificates by June 29. It is mandatory for the candidates to submit their party tickets in order to be allotted their electoral symbols. Those who fail to do so will be considered independent candidates.
Verdict on Abbasi’s appeal expected today.
The Lahore High Court is expected to announce its verdict on former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi appeal against the verdict of an appellate tribunal that disqualified him from contesting the polls from NA-57 Murree.
The appellate election tribunal found Abbasi guilty of “concealing facts and withholding information from voters” in his nomination forms submitted for NA-57 Murree — his home constituency.
In its written verdict, the tribunal said that Abbasi does not meet the requirements under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution of Pakistan.
The former premier, in a statement to the media, vowed to challenge the verdict.
Preparations for poll underway.
Preparations of the upcoming elections are under way, with the electoral body making arrangements to ensure a transparent poll.
On June 26, the polling scheme for Lahore was finalised, which contained constituency-wise lists of polling stations, number of registered voters, and other relevant details.
ECP has also ordered provincial governments to provide security to all candidates contesting the upcoming general election and political leaders.
The Commission, in a letter to all four provincial governments, has directed the respective chief secretaries to ensure security arrangements for the election candidates and leaders of political parties, sources privy to the matter said.
The ECP has also asked the relevant authorities to install CCTV cameras in sensitive polling stations for monitoring.
On June 30, ECP will issue electoral symbols to candidates.
The elections are scheduled to be held on July 25, 2018.
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