PESHAWAR, March 22: Eight candidates have filed nomination papers for by-election to the Senate seat vacated by NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman.

The scrutiny of the nomination papers will be held on March 24 and polling will be held on April 13.

Qari Abdullah and Mufti Kifayatullah of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl), Pir Mohammad and Merajuddin Khan of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Qazi Abdul Lateef of the JUI (Sami), Syed Qammar Abbas and Najmuddin Khan of the People’s Party Parliamentarian and MPA Nighat Orakzai of the Pakistan Muslim League have filed the papers. On Tuesday, the last date, six candidates filed their papers. The 124 members of the NWFP Assembly will vote in the by-election.

NWFP Public Service Commission Chairman Abdullah is the returning officer.

The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal failed to nominate a joint candidate for the by-election in a meeting held at the residence of Senior Provincial Minister Sirajul Haq.