ISLAMABAD: The PML-N has urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to extend time for submission of party tickets for candidates in the first phase of coming local government elections in Punjab.

A PML-N delegation headed by Punjab Local Government Minister Rana Sanaullah met ECP Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad on Friday to request the commission to extend the date from Sept 11 to Oct 1.

Also read: 2nd phase of LG polls in Punjab, Sindh on Nov 19

The Election Commission of Pakistan has set Sept 11 as the last date for filing nomination papers for the first phase of elections in Punjab and Sindh and the candidates are required to provide party tickets by then. Scrutiny of the nominations will be carried out from Sept 12 to 17. Sept 22 is the last date for filing appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers by the returning officers and tribunals will make decisions on them by Sept 30.

Oct 1 is the last date for withdrawal of candidatures.

Meanwhile, taking note of reports that public funds are being doled out and development schemes announced in various districts by provincial governments allegedly to influence voters in violation of the code of conduct, the Election Commission of Pakistan warned that any violation would be dealt with strictly.

It reiterated that public funds could not be released nor could development schemes be announced after issuance of the election schedule.

The Election Commission of Pakistan also announced that no request for change of district returning officers, ROs and assistant ROs would be entertained.

It asked the governments of the two provinces to ensure the availability of all the DROs, ROs and AROs at the duty stations assigned to them by the Election Commission of Pakistan and ordered that none should be replaced till the culmination of the election process.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play