ISLAMABAD, Aug 4: Chief Election Commissioner Qazi Mohammad Farooq has reminded the political parties to submit consolidated statements of accounts by Aug 29, failing which they would not be allotted election symbols.

In a statement, the CEC referred to the provisions of Article 13 of the Political Parties Order 2002 under which every political party had to submit to the Election Commission, within 60 days from the closure of the financial year, a consolidated statement of accounts, audited by a chartered accountant.

The CEC said a certificate signed by the party leader must accompany the statement of accounts, stating that no funds from any source prohibited under the Political Parties Order had been received and that the statement contained an accurate financial position of the party.

He said prescribed forms were available free of cost in the EC secretariat and the offices of the provincial election commissioners.

The CEC said that if a party failed to submit its statement of accounts, it would not be eligible to obtain election symbol for contesting polls for parliament and the provincial assemblies.

The statements are required to be delivered to the EC secretary through an office-bearer authorised by the party leader.

The CEC pointed out that statements received through post, fax, courier service or any other mode would not be entertained.