ISLAMABAD, June 7: The Secretary General of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has invited applications for the award of party tickets for the forthcoming general elections scheduled to be held sometime before November 2007.

In a statement on Thursday, the PPP secretary general said all applicants must subscribe to the manifesto and programme of the Pakistan Peoples Party under the leadership of Ms Benazir Bhutto.

The aspiring candidates have been asked to send non refundable fee by bank draft/pay order made out in the name of Pakistan People Party of Rs30,000 for national assembly tickets and Rs25,000 for provincial assembly tickets.

They have been told that the applications must be typed, contain a brief bio-data, an attested copy of a bachelor’s degree and the copy of party membership.

The applicants have been asked to state clearly in a summary that why they think they are in a better position to win a ticket from the party.

The supporters of the party, who have never won an election since 1988 although they had party tickets, have been told not to apply.

Those members who have violated party discipline or been expelled from the party will not be eligible to apply.

Successful applicants will need to fulfil other conditions including an affidavit and a fee for award of symbol.

The aspiring candidates have been asked to make applications to party’s central secretariat Islamabad or to Bilawal House Karachi.

Applications will be accepted from June 15 to 25, 2007.