ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Saturday issued a schedule for voting on May 11, DawnNews reported.

The schedule, sent to the returning officers, said polling would start at 8 am on May 11 and would continue until 5 pm.

The commission has moreover issued a polling scheme for Punjab and Islamabad.

It has moreover said action would be taken against election officials who do not perform their duties.

Security of candidates

The ECP has directed the caretaker government to provide adequate security to election candidates.

Earlier today, the commission had expressed grave concern over the attacks targeting election candidates and political workers in parts of the country.

The ECP moreover issued instructions to all four provinces to take steps to counter terrorist activities targeting political parties during the election campaign.

The commission's concerns were conveyed by a spokesman today after a bomb blast targeting Awami National Party’s Bashir Jan killed 11 people in Karachi.

Jan, the ANP general secretary for Sindh survived the attack as he was inside his car at the time of the attack.

The attack was claimed by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan which has vowed to keep the ANP, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Pakistan Peoples Party out of the electoral process.

Friday’s explosion was the latest in a series of attacks targeting political parties during their campaigns for the coming May 11 election.