The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday directed all political parties to apply for the allotment of election symbols by Friday, March 15 (tomorrow). The ECP issued the directives for political parties which complied with the provisions of Political Parties Order of 2002.
In a directive, it stated: "Political Parties, which comply with the provisions of the Political Parties Order, 2002 and Allocation of Symbol Order, 2002 must submit applications for allotment of Election Symbol by March 15."
The Commission also directed political parties to adhere with the provisions of Section 47A of the Representation of the People Act of 1976, which inter-alia provide that Political Parties intending to take part in the upcoming general elections should submit to the Election Commission lists of nominated candidates in order of priority for seats reserved for women and non-Muslims in the National Assembly and the provincial assemblies.
The directive stated such party-lists might contain as many names of additional candidates as a political party may deem necessary for contesting election to the seats reserved for women and non-Muslims to provide for any disqualification of candidates during scrutiny of nomination papers or filling of any vacant seats during the term of National Assembly and the Provincial Assemblies, as the case may be.
All such political parties, shall submit respective lists of their candidates in order of priority for seats reserved for non-Muslims in the National Assembly with Muhammad Imtiaz Alam, Director General (Admn), Election Commission of Pakistan, Islamabad/Returning Officer for the seats reserved for non- Muslims in the National Assembly on or before March 24 this year.