QUETTA, Nov 29: Five candidates have filed their nominations for the post of Speaker of Balochistan Assembly, here on Friday, and seven for Deputy Speaker.

The candidates for speaker’s slot are: former Chief Minister Mir Jan Mohammad Khan Jamali, Mir Mohammad Aslam Bhootani (PML-Q), Jamal Shah (MMA), Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal (PMAP), and Jan Mohammad Buladi (BNM).

The seven deputy speaker candidates are: Mir Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, Mir Mohammad Shoiab Nusherwani, Rahila Hameed Khan Durrani and Basant Lal Gulshan (PML-Q), Hafiz Hussain Ahmed Suhrawardy (MMA), Mohammad Naseem Turyalai (PMAP) and Dr Shama Ishaq Baloch (BNM).

The nomination papers can be withdrawn until 10am on Saturday (today) before the start of the session.

According to sources, the election of speaker and deputy speaker would be held through secret ballot and, 63 out of the 65 newly-elected members would vote.