ECP starts scrutiny of nomination papers for Senate elections

A total of 170 candidates have filed their nomination papers in the ECP for Senate elections

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has started the process of scrutiny of nomination papers submitted by the candidates for the Senate elections. A total of 170 candidates have filed their nomination papers in the ECP for the elections on 48 seats in the upper house of the Parliament. 29 candidates from Punjab, 39 from Sindh, 51 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 41 from Balochistan and 10 from the federal capital Islamabad have submitted their details. National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other departments have been contacted for assistance while the candidates have also been directed to bring along their party tickets.

On the other hand, nomination papers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Fozia Arshad, Zarqa Taimur and Federal Minister for Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh have been accepted. The commission has also approved details of Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwalla, Chief Secretary Sindh Sadiq Memon and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders Sherry Rehman, Dost Ali Jaiser, Palwasha Khan and Farhatullah Babar.  

The ECP has rejected nomination papers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Azam Nazir Tarar and gave him time till 5:00pm to submit his party ticket. The returning officer has also ordered the lawyer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fareed Rehman, who had raised objection over the nomination papers of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and joint candidate of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) for Senate elections Yousaf Raza Gillani, to present the arguments till 3:00pm.

It is to be mentioned here that the candidates can file appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers on February 20 and the last date for disposing of these appeals is February 23. The revised list of candidates will be published on February 24. The candidates can withdraw their nomination papers on February 25.

The polling on 48 Senate seats will be held on March 3 at the Parliament house in Islamabad and all four provincial assemblies.