ISLAMABAD, Sept 26: Candidates for the presidential election will file their nomination papers on Thursday. President Musharraf is the unanimous candidate of the ruling PML and its allies.

PPP is fielding Makhdoom Amin Fahim and the lawyers have nominated Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed. Prof Anwarul Haq, a government servant, has also claimed that he had sent his nomination papers for getting the signatures of proposer and seconder.

Though it is not mandatory for a candidate to appear in person to file his nomination papers, it is not clear if Gen Musharraf will himself go to the Election Commission or authorise someone else to file his papers.

The proposers and seconders of General Musharraf include Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Interior minister Aftab Sherpao and Ports and Shipping Minister Babar Ghauri.

Under the rules, the presiding officer will forward the nomination papers to the returning officer to reach him before the time fixed for scrutiny.