Large number of nominations filed in Karachi for local bodies' polls

A large number of intending candidates turned up to file the nomination papers for the first phase of Local Bodies (LB) elections in Karachi on Wednesday, last date for submission of nomination papers. A big crowd of aspirant candidates and their supporters was witnessed at City and Malir Courts, who came in various groups to file nomination papers.
Although, LB polls are being held on non-party basis, political parties are fully engaged in it and there were various camps set up by prominent political parties in the name of legal aid centres to facilitate those, backed by these parties.
In addition, women rights NGO has also set up a special camp at the City Court to guide women, intending to contest LB polls in Karachi.
A large number of intending candidates started pouring in the City and Malir Courts right from the beginning of the day and the process was continuing, till the filing of this report as time for submission of nomination papers was extended till midnight by the election commissioner on Tuesday.
The figures received from the returning officers by evening suggest that around 4,000 nomination papers were received and more were expected till midnight.
The returning officers will invite objections on the nomination papers on July 22, while scrutiny of nomination papers would be carried out on July 23 and 24.
The candidates can file appeals against rejection or acceptance of nomination papers on July 25 and the appeals would be disposed of on July 27.
Nominations can be withdrawn by July 28 and the final list of candidates will be published on July 29.
The first phase of LB polls is being held in 54 districts of the country, while the second phase will commence from July 23 in the remaining districts to elect Nazims, Naib Nazims and councillors of Union Councils.
In the third phase, the elections will be held for city/district, tehsil/taluka/town Nazims and members of city/district and tehsil/taluka/town councils against the seats reserved for women, peasants/workers and minority communities in September.