KARACHI, July 22: A total of 227 objections were filed against candidates in various categories in 11 districts of Sindh, where nominations were submitted on Wednesday for the first phase of the local government election 2005 scheduled for August 18. In Karachi district, only 27 objections were received by various returning officers (RO), said election commission sources.
Friday was the day for filing objections against candidates whose lists were displayed outside offices of the ROs on Thursday.
The highest number of objections was received against joint panels of nazims and naib-nazim numbering 129 in 11 districts including 12 in Karachi district.
Sources said that out of 27 objections filed in the Karachi district, nine were against candidates on Muslim general seats, one against Muslim women seat, two against peasants/workers category and three against minority candidates.
Besides Karachi, the overall picture in 11 districts indicated that a total of 59 objections were filed against candidates on the Muslim general seats, four against Muslim women seats, 20 against the peasants/workers category and seven against peasants/workers women seats, while 129 objections were filed against joint panels of nazims and naib-nazims.
According to the election schedule of the first phase, the LG polls 2005 will be held on August 18; scrutiny of nomination papers will be carried out on Saturday and Sunday; appeals against rejection of nominations can be filed by Monday and these would be disposed of by July 27; withdrawal of candidature will be allowed by July 28; and the final lists of candidates would be published on July 29.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has directed the Sindh chief secretary to finalize the seats of minorities in accordance with the provision of Section 87 of the SLGO 2005 and submit the notification positively within 48 hours.
It may be recalled that in some union councils where the non-Muslim population is greater, their candidates are allowed to contest elections on more seats than that reserved for them.
Under the rules, according to the EC sources, in any UC, where the strength of minorities is more than 10 per cent, their seats could be increased against the Muslim seats.
However, under the amended laws of SLGO 2005, minority communities could also contest elections on seats reserved for peasants and workers, peasants/workers (women) and even for nazim and naib-nazim.
This directive was issued on Friday during a meeting presided over by the Chief Election Commissioner, Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar.
