ISLAMABAD, Dec 16: Over 10,000 candidates would contest the Jan 8 election for the National Assembly and four provincial assemblies, Election Commission sources told Dawn on Sunday.
According to the election schedule, the final list of candidates was to be released on Sunday – Saturday being the last day for withdrawal of nomination papers -- but the EC failed to issue list. It is now likely to be released on Monday.
The sources said the list would not include names of candidates from those constituencies where the date for filing nomination papers had been extended because of the law and order situation.
They, however, said that the final list had been put up on notice boards by returning officers.
They said that the printing of ballot papers would start on Monday and it would be completed by Jan 5, adding that names of all candidates would be printed in the alphabetical order along with their election symbols.
They said the returning officers were preparing lists of polling stations and finalising the polling scheme.
The process of transfer of election materials to officials concerned had begun and the exercise would be completed by Dec 27.
More than 13,000 candidates had filed papers with returning officers between Nov 20 and 26 and the final list would make the live-up clear.
After the completion of the process, the Election Commission will concentrate on the polling scheme and polling arrangements across the country.
In the 2002 general election, more than 10,000 candidates had filed nomination papers, but this time the number increased to over 13000.
An official of the Election Commission said that all necessary arrangements had been made for smooth electioneering and polling.
For the first time in the country’s history, the Election Commission will use transparent ballot boxes and polling screens and thousands of booklets would be sent to political parties for educating their polling agents.
The election staff across the country have also received necessary training to ensure transparency of the election.
