PESHAWAR: The Election Commission of Pakistan on Monday announced the schedule for the election on the vacant general seat of Senate from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, polling for which will be held in the provincial assembly on Dec 20.

The seat had fallen vacant after the resignation of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Senator Muhammad Ayub, according to a notification issued here.

“The election commission hereby calls upon the members of the provincial assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to elect a member for the Senate from KP against the category of general seat,” reads the notification.

As per the schedule, the candidates will file their nomination papers with the returning officer from Nov 30 till Dec 2, while names of the nominated candidates will be published on Dec 3.

Last date for scrutiny of nomination papers is Dec 6, while appeals can be filed against acceptance or rejection of nominations by Dec 8. Dec 10 has been fixed as last date for disposal of appeals by the tribunal, while the returning officer will publish the revised list of candidates on Dec 11.

Candidates can withdraw their candidature by Dec 13. The polling for the vacant seat will be held on Dec 20.

Muhammad Ayub of PTI was elected from KP Assembly in March 2018 on the general seat, and his tenure was to complete in March 2024. PTI is likely to elect Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Shaukat Tarin on the vacant seat.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2021