PESHAWAR: Returning officers in 17 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday began the scrutiny of 42,176 nomination papers filed in 66 tehsil and 2,382 village and neighbourhood councils for contesting the upcoming local government elections.

The scrutiny will continue until Sunday (Nov 14), while polling for the first phase of elections will be held on Dec 19.

In the remaining 18 districts, the polls will be conducted in the second phase on Jan 16.

The districts in question have 66 tehsil councils and 2,382 village and neighbourhood councils.

According to data released by the Election Commission of Pakistan on Friday, 1,005 people have filed nomination papers to contest elections for the seat of mayor/chairman for tehsil councils and 41,171 for different seats of village and neighbourhood councils.

Final list of contestants for first phase of LG polls to be issued on 23rd

The nominations were filed from Nov 4 to Nov 10.

Of 41,171 people, who filed nomination papers for contesting elections for village and neighbourhood councils, 21,825 are for general seats, 4,214 for women’s seats, 8,023 for peasant/worker seats, 6,745 for youth seats and 364 for minority seats.

As majority of the areas in the province have no population of minority, only 364 nomination papers were filed for 2,382 seats in village and neighbourhood councils of 17 districts.

In Peshawar, 123 people filled nomination papers in seven tehsil councils, 41 in 3 tehsil councils of Nowshera, 44 for three tehsil councils of Charsadda, 75 for three tehsils of Khyber, 40 for three tehsils of Mohmand, 76 for five tehsils of Mardan, 53 for four tehsils of Swabi, 64 for four tehsils of Kohat, 64 for three tehsils of Karak, 15 for two tehsils of Hangu, 82 for six tehsils of Bannu, 74 for four tehsils of Lakki, 34 for two tehsils of Tank, 89 for six tehsils of Dera Ismail Khan, 34 for three tehsils of Haripur, 32 for two tehsils of Bajuar, and 74 for six tehsils of Buner.

Similarly, 41,171 aspirants filed nominations in 2,382 village and neighbourhood councils. Of the VCNCs in 17 districts, 357 are in Peshawar,146 in Nowshera, 153 in Charsadda, 147 in Khyber, 65 in Mohmand, 231 in Mardan, 160 in Swabi, 107 in Kohat,61 in Karak, 62 in Hangu, 116 in Bannu, 101 in Lakki, 78 in Tank, 186 in Dera Ismail Khan, 180 in Haripur, 127 in Bajuar and 105 in Buner.

As the scrutiny ends on Nov 14, appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers will be filed from Nov 15 to 17.

According to the schedule, Nov 22 will be the last date for withdrawal of candidature. Election symbols will be allotted the next day (Nov 23) and the final list of contesting candidates will be published the same day. Consolidation of results is to be completed by Dec 24.

APP adds: The Election Commission of Pakistan has appointed appellate tribunals for local government elections (Phase I) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to a notification issued by the ECP, the appellate tribunals will decide appeals against the decision of returning officers to reject or accept nomination papers for the first phase of the elections. A total of 64 judicial officers will head appellate tribunals.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2021