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ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: The first phase of filing of nomination papers for the National Assembly, provincial assemblies and the Senate (only Fata) elections, was completed on Monday.
Most of the political leaders, including Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari and Makhdoom Amin Fahim, have filed nomination papers from more than one seats.
A large number of politicians have fielded their offsprings after failing to meet the graduation condition.
Hasan Mohammad, Secretary Election Commission, told Dawn that the commission would release data about the number of candidates filed nomination papers on Tuesday.
According to reports from all over the country, thousands of candidates submitted nomination papers for 272 general seats of National Assembly and 577 general seats of the four provincial assemblies.
Initially, the deadline for submission of nomination papers was to expire on Aug 24, but the Election Commission extended the last date for two days, till Aug 26.
The offices of the returning officers remained open till 8pm on Monday, allowing a maximum time to the candidates for submission of nomination papers.
The last day for filing of party lists for the seats reserved for women and minorities is Sept 14.
The political parties had sought extension in the last date for filing of nomination papers because of difficulties being faced by their candidates in completion of papers, which required the candidates to provide details of their assets as well as of their immediate family members.
The scrutiny of the nominations papers by the returning officers will start from Tuesday, and will continue till Sept 2.
The last date for filing of appeals against rejection or acceptance of nomination papers has been extended till Sept 6, while the last date for deciding these appeals is fixed at Sept 13.
Nomination papers can be withdrawn till 5pm on Sept 14. The Election Commission will publish the final list of candidates on Sept 15.
SUO MOTU NOTICE: Chief Election Commissioner, Justice Irshad Hasan Khan on Monday took suo motu notice of using government funds for favouring certain candidates.
The CEC took notice on the basis of a news item which said that the PPP and ANP had alleged that the District Nazim Nowshera, Pervez Khattak was misusing official funds to support his brother who is contesting election.
They had urged the CEC to take notice of “illegal” activities of Nowshera Nazim.
The CEC directed the complainant Liaquat Shabab, Mian Yahya Shah, Akmal Shah and Qurban Khan of PPP and Mian Ajmal Shah Kakakhel and Ahrar Khattak of ANP to submit a formal application supported by an affidavit pleading with particularly the alleged instances of misuse of funds for the benefit of any contesting candidates.
The CEC said on the receipt of application, a report would be sought from the quarters concerned for taking further appropriate steps in accordance with the law.
