ISLAMABAD, Feb 27: The President on Wednesday provided level cover to electoral reforms and empowered the Election Commission to hold general elections in October, 2002.

The order called ‘Conduct of General Elections Order, 2002,’ provides for holding general elections in October on the joint electorate basis.

The law empowers the Election Commission to update electoral rolls, and delimit the constituencies in view of the increase in the number of seats in assemblies. The law comes into force at once.

The order makes no mention of educational qualification for the those aspiring to contest the election.

The Chief Election Commissioner or the Election Commission can take all such ancillary, incidental and consequential steps deemed necessary for effectively holding the election for the members of the National Assembly and provincial assemblies in October, 2002.

The total number of seats for the National Assembly is 357, including seats reserved for women and technocrats.