ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced by-elections on 33 National Asembly vacant seats on March 16. Election body is holding by-polls on 33 seats that fell vacant after National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf accepted resignations of 35 members (including two on reserved seats for women) of lower house of Parliament on January 17.

“In pursuance of Section 57 of Elections Act, 2017 (Act No. XXXIII of 2017), read with Section 102 and clause (4) of Article 224 of Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Election Commission hereby calls upon electors of undermentioned constituencies of National Assembly which have become vacant due to resignations and specifies in relation thereto following dates for by-elections,” notification issued by ECP read.

As per ECP announcement, candidates will be able to file their nomination papers between February 6-8. Names of the candidates will be published on February 9 and returning officers will carry out scrutiny of nomination papers till February 13. Last date to file appeals against RO’s decision on acceptance or rejection of nomination papers is February 16.

Last date for appellate tribunal to decide on appeals is February 20. After this, revised list of candidates will be published on February 21. Last date to withdraw candidature and release of revised list of candidates is February 22 while election symbols will be allotted on February 23 and polls will be held on March 16.

So far, resignations of 123 PTI MNAs have been accepted and all have been denotified. Speaker Ashraf in four stages accepted resignations. 11 resignations, 34 on January 17, another 35 on January 20 and 43 have been approved.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 28 2023

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