With only two-day left in submission of nomination papers by candidates for Election 2013, the major political parties are facing difficulties in deciding their candidates. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has already extended the deadline for candidates to file nomination papers across the country till March 31.
As per schedule, the scrutiny of nomination papers will take place from April 1-7, while days from April 8-10 have been fixed for appeals. The final list of candidates will be released on April 19. Major political parties ie, PML-N, PTI are facing difficult situation, as they have yet failed to officially announce the party tickets.
Sources claimed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has asked party candidates to submit their nomination papers without waiting for the party tickets. The Parliamentary Board of PML-N held meetings to select the party candidates for forthcoming general elections. However, no official announcement has so far been made.
Sources said the PML-N was likely to contest from NA-120, Hamza Shahbaz from NA-119 while Shahbaz Sharif will contest from NA-123 and NA-55. PML-N has directed the candidates from Islamabad to file their nomination papers without any delay. The Parliamentary Board held consultations on Friday to finalise the names of the party candidates. However, no official announcement was made till the filing of this report.
Moreover, the candidates from different parties kept submitting their nomination papers before the returning officers concerned on Friday. In Lahore, the returning officers continued to issue and receive nomination papers from the candidates while women and minorities candidates submitted their nomination papers in the Provincial Election Commission.
The candidates of different parties appeared before the returning officers and provincial Election Commission alongwith their supporters. On the other hand, candidates are using all means to please the voters. They are visiting door to door of influential heads of families apart from using other means. However, real election activity would start after the display of lists of candidates by the Election Commission.