ISLAMABAD: The schedule for elections to the National and Provincial Assemblies on the basis of adult franchise and one-man one-vote was ann­ounced here this morning [Sept 15] by the Chief Election Commissioner, Mr Justice Abdus Sattar.

He told a news conference that nomination papers for the National Assembly will be received on the 15th of next month and for the Provincial Assemblies on the 19th of next month. The scrutiny of nomination papers for the National Assembly will be held on the 17th and for the Provincial Assemblies on the 21st of next month. The withdrawals will be allowed on the 24th for the National Assembly and on the 28th for the Provincial Assemblies.

Polling will be held on Dec 7 for the National Assembly and on Dec 17 for the Provincial Assemblies.

The Chief Election Commissioner said for the first time polling for all the constituencies throughout the country will be completed in a single day for the National Assembly and on another day for the Provincial Assemblies. Polling will be held from 8-30 in the morning to 4-30 in the afternoon in both wings of the country. He said secrecy of voting will be ensured by making all the voters mark the ballot paper behind a screen compartment and fold it before coming out.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2020