General elections are just around the corner and while the political parties are gearing up to battle it out on the polling day slated for July 25, the public too is preparing to vote for their favourite candidates.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has already confirmed the list of candidates running for seats in the national and provincial assemblies while the electoral symbols have also been allotted to the 106 political parties.

Pak Sarzameen Party is one of the newest entries to the ring of political groups in the country, which will be contesting the general elections for the first time ever with the ‘dolphin’ symbol. The party, which mainly comprises former Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s leaders, will be under a lot of pressure to perform well in the do-or-die elections.

Another party to have its electoral debut in upcoming elections is Balochistan Awami Party, which has been allotted the symbol of cow. Meanwhile, singer Jawad Ahmad’s Barabari Party Pakistan will be contesting its first election with ‘gate’ symbol.

Among the independent candidate is activist Jibran Nasir, who has been allotted with ‘loud speaker’ symbol. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's former member Ayesha Gulalai, who has formed her own party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Gulalai), after parting way with Imran Khan and his party, has been allotted 'racket'.

Meanwhile, the major political parties will be contesting with their same old symbols. Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz will again contest elections with ‘tiger’ while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has been allotted their same ‘bat’ symbol again. Muttahida Quami Movement has also been given their same ‘kite’ symbol. Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam will be contesting with 'pen' while Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan are going to contest with 'crane' symbol.

On the other hand, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has decided to stick to its ‘arrow’, the same symbol they have been using previous general elections. PPP contested the 1970 general elections with their original sword symbol, however, after the 1977 election, when General Ziaul Haq imposed martial law, it was deleted from the ECP's list of election symbols.

Although PPP has again been allotted the 'sword' after all these years, the party, along with Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, will be contesting the upcoming general elections with ‘arrow’.

As the election draws near, political parties have already started their election campaign in full swing.