Elections possible on 64 NA seats, why not in Punjab and KPK?
Election Commission of Pakistan has released schedule for holding elections on 16th March for 33 seats and 19th March for 31 seats
ECP on Friday announced the by-election scheduled for 31 more constituencies of the National Assembly, while earlier the ECP had announced the by-election scheduled for 33 seats, analysts said. Yes, if elections can be held on 64 seats, then the delay in the elections due to the security situation in Punjab and KP is beyond comprehension.
According to the notification issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the by-election for 31 seats of the National Assembly will be held on March 19.
These seats fell vacant after National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf accepted the resignations of PTI MNAs, who were later de-notified by the ECP.
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It should be noted that the ECP had announced to hold by-elections on 33 vacant seats of the National Assembly on March 16.
On the other hand, PTI Chairman Imran Khan, busy trying to set another record, had announced to participate in the by-elections from all 33 seats of the National Assembly, but later he backtracked on his decision. It has been decided to give tickets to
Schedule of Election Commission
According to the election schedule announced by the ECP, candidates will be able to submit their nomination papers between February 10 and 14.
The names of the candidates will be published on February 15 and the Returning Officers (ROs) will scrutinize the nomination papers till February 18.
The last date for filing an appeal against the RO’s decision regarding acceptance or rejection of nomination papers will be February 22.
According to the election schedule, the last date for the Appellate Tribunal to decide on the appeals is February 27, after which the revised final list of candidates will be released on February 28.
The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers and release of revised list of candidates is March 1 while election symbols will be allotted on March 2.
Analysts say that on the one hand, the governors of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are reluctant to give the date of the elections citing the law and order situation, on the other hand, the Election Commission is going to hold by-elections in 64 constituencies. Elections in Punjab and KP are being delayed deliberately or out of fear of defeat.
