ISLAMABAD, Nov 14: The Election Commission decided on Wednesday to issue the schedule for general elections soon after the dissolution of national and provincial assemblies.

The decision was taken at a meeting presided by over Chief Election Commissioner Qazi Mohammad Farooq. Justice Nasim Sikandar of the Lahore High Court, Justice Ahmed Khan Lashari of the Balochistan High Court and EC Secretary Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad attended the meeting.

The EC secretary said in a statement that the meeting had discussed the election schedule and the code of conduct.

“The notification regarding schedule for the conduct of general elections will be issued soon after the dissolution of National Assembly and the provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.”

The NWFP assembly has already been dissolved.

Mr Dilshad said the appointments of district returning officers, returning officers and assistant returning officers had been approved with the consent of the chief justices of the respective high courts. The appointment of returning officers for the seats reserved for women and non-Muslims has been approved.

He said the meeting decided to invite representatives of prominent political parties to attend a meeting at the Election Commission on Nov 19 to discuss and finalise the code of conduct.

Under Article 224 (1) of the Constitution, polls should be held within 60 days after the assembly dissolution.