KARACHI, Aug 25: A total 96 more candidates — 28 for the national assembly and 68 for the provincial assembly — filed their nomination papers from Karachi, following the two-day extension on Saturday in the last date of filing nomination papers for the elections.

By 4 p.m. on Sunday, 755 (233 for NA and 522 for PA) candidates had deposited their nominations from Karachi against 20 general seats of the national assembly and 41 seats of the provincial assembly.

For the 14 NA seats reserved for women from Sindh, a total of 63 women filed their nominations. For the 29 PA seats reserved for women, 171 women candidates deposited their papers. For the nine seats reserved for minorities in the Sindh assembly, a total of 68 nominations were filed till Sunday.

Sources close to the mainstream political parties told Dawn that most of the candidates had already filed their nomination papers. Therefore, on Monday, the last day for filing nominations, no more long queues were expected.

According to the Election Commission sources, in former district West on Sunday, 19 candidates filed nominations, six for NA seats and 13 for PA seats. In district central 23 more nominations were submitted, six for NA seats and 17 for PS seats. In district South 17 nominations were filed, six for NA and 11 for PA seats.

In district East, 25 nominations were filed, five for NA and 20 for PA seats. In district Malir, 12 nominations were filed, five for NA and seven for PA seats.

According to the revised schedule, nomination papers can be filed till August 26. Scrutiny of papers will be held from Aug 27 to September 2. Appeals against acceptance and rejection of nomination papers can be filed by Sept 6. They will have been decided by Sept 13. Nominations can be withdrawn till Sept 14. The revised list of candidates will be published on Sept 15.

Meanwhile, the Sindh Election Commission has notified the # revised schedule for scrutiny of nomination papers for the seats reserved for women in the national and provincial assemblies and the seats for non-Muslims in the provincial assembly.

Accordingly, the provincial election commissioner, Sindh, returning officer for the reserved seats, will hold scrutiny at 11 a.m. on 28.8. 2002 for the seats reserved for women, on 30.8.2002 for the seats reserved for non-Muslims in the provincial assembly, on 1.9.2002 for the seats reserved for women in the national assembly.

All prospective candidates who have filed nomination papers may attend the scrutiny on respective dates.