ISLAMABAD, Dec 17: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday announced that election on the Senate seat falling vacant after the death of Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani would be held on Jan 10.

Chief Election Commissioner Irshad Hassan Khan, in pursuance of Section 77 of the Senate (Election) Act 1975 (LI of 1975), read with Clause (5) of Article 224 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, called upon the members of the Sindh assembly to elect a Senate member against the vacant general seat.

According to the schedule, public notice by the returning officer inviting nomination papers will be issued on Dec 18 (Thursday) while the nominations with the returning officer will filed on Dec 22-23 (Monday and Tuesday).

Scrutiny of the papers will be held on Jan 24 (Wednesday) and appeals could be filed with the chief election commissioner against rejection of nominations by Dec 27, 2003 (Saturday).

December 30 (Tuesday) is the date for the disposal of appeals while last date for the withdrawal of candidature has been set for Jan 5 (Monday).

The list of contesting candidates will be issued on Jan 6 (Tuesday) and polling will be held on Jan 10, at provincial assembly building, Karachi.

The chief election commissioner has appointed the provincial election commissioner as the returning officer for the election while Joint Sindh Election Commissioner Safi-ur-Rehman Iqbal and Deputy Election Commissioner Karachi Mehboob Anwar as polling officers.—APP