ISLAMABAD, Aug 6: The Election Commission on Tuesday asked the political parties to apply for allocation of symbols till August 12.

An announcement by the EC said the political parties, which have held intra-party elections in accordance with the provisions of the PPO, are invited to make applications for the allocation of one of the symbols prescribed under Rule 9 of the Representation of the People (Conduct of Elections) Rules, 1977.

The applications shall be signed by the party leader, and they must reach the Secretary, EC, on or before August 12, 2002, the EC release said.

The application shall contain information whether the political party has conducted the intra-party elections as required under Article 12 of the PPO, 2002, and such other particulars or information from the party as the commission might deem necessary.

The incomplete applications or telegraphic requests would not be entertained. The EC stated that all those parties which had sent applications for allotment of symbols earlier would have to do so again.

The EC made it clear that applications received after August 12, 2002, would not be entertained.

The EC said it had finalised the Allocation of Symbols Order, 2002, after soliciting opinion from the political parties. It has been published in the official gazette on August 5.

It said the applications for allocation of symbols shall contain the following information:

(i) The list of symbols applied for in order of preference; (ii) symbol or symbols, if any, allocated to the political party during the previous elections.

Every such application shall be signed by the party leader, by whatever name designated, address of the head office of the political party, the name of its president, secretary-general and other office-bearers of the CEC, the numerical strength of its members, a copy of election manifesto, and a copy of the party constitution.

The application shall also contain the information whether the party was represented by a member or members in the national assembly or a provincial assembly in the past. If so, the name and other particulars of such member(s).