ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday extended the deadline for submission of applications by political parties and electoral alliances for election symbol till May 25.

However, the ECP notified that the applications submitted before the previous deadline of May 15 would not be considered and advised all such parties and alliances to submit fresh applications. “Incomplete applications or requests through fax will not be entertained,” the ECP added.

The commission made it clear that applications received after the May 25 deadline would not be entertained.

The ECP said the application must contain a list of symbols that the party sought in order of priority and the symbol allotted to it in the previous general elections.

Every application should be signed by the respective party head, according to the ECP. The commission will allocate a symbol to a political party only if it complied with the relevant provisions of the elections act.

A political party shall also be given preference for allocation of a particular symbol if such symbol was allocated to it in a previous election before entering into an alliance with other political parties.

Currently, there are around 110 registered parties in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2018