GUJRAT: The electoral groups comprising independent candidates for the local bodies elections in Punjab have been asked to submit their applications for getting registered with Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) between March 24 and 28.

The public notices for the registration of electoral groups for participation in the upcoming local government elections are expected to be issued by March 12 (Saturday), Gujrat District Election Commissioner Khalid Mahmood said here on Friday.

He said the ECP had formally issued the schedule in this regard and the aspirants belonging to the independent groups could submit their applications on Farm 1 with the ECP’s concerned officer in their respective districts.

As per the Local Government Ordinance 2021, the local elections will he held on party basis, however, those intending to contest the polls as independent candidates will have to get their electoral groups registered before going into the election process.

Election Commissioner Mr Mahmood has been authorised to receive the applications of the groups in the limits of Gujrat Metropolitan Corporation, whereas Election Officer Kashif Waseem would receive the applications for the district council.

Mr Mahmood will issue the public notices at the district level, whereas the assistant commissioners (ACs) of all three tehsils of Gujrat will issue the notices in their respective jurisdictions.

As per the schedule issued by the ECP, the head of an independent group, or any of his nominees, may file the application for registration and the concerned election officer, after conducting a thorough scrutiny of the documents, can return the application to the group in case of any anomaly.

However, the applicant may submit the documents again by April 4 after rectifying the errors pointed out by the election officer (if any), who can issue the registration certificate on Farm 3 by April 6. Objections or appeals against the decision of election officer could be filed on April 9.

The final list of the registered groups would be issued by April 13.

Meanwhile, the district election commissioner said the delimitation of the constituencies for local elections in Gujrat had been underway and as per the schedule the final list of delimitation would be displayed by March 22.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2022