Election activities are starting in 17 districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) today (Monday). The returning officers (RO) will start issuing the nomination papers to candidates and the process will continue till November 8.
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has already issued schedule for the local bodies’ polls in the province which will be held in 17 districts of the province in the first phase. ECP has already nominated Deputy Commissioners of each district as district returning officer (DRO) and ROs and assistant ROs have also been notified.
“Till November 8 the nomination papers will be issued to candidates and on November 9 the initial list of the candidates will be issued,” said an official of ECP while talking to The Express Tribune.
“Once the scrutiny is complete another list will be issued on November 12. Objections on the nomination papers will be entertained from November 13 to 16. Appeals will be heard till November 19 and on November 20 final list will be issued by the ECP,” informed the official, adding that candidates will be allowed to take back their papers till November 22.
By the same token, election symbols will be assigned to candidates on November 23.
Polling is scheduled for December 19 in the province in 17 districts while the results will be announced on December 24.
The ECP has already imposed a ban on the transfers and postings of government officials in these 17 districts. Government has already been ordered not to announce any development package in these districts which could change the minds of voters.
By the same token, cabinet members have been barred from attending any election rally of a candidate or visiting any district to campaign for party candidates.
The use of government resources and machinery is also prohibited by candidates and strict action will be taken against those found involved.
“ECP has banned the visits of prime minister, federal ministers, speakers and deputy speakers of National Assembly, chief minister and member of provincial cabinet to these 17 districts,” said an official of ECP, adding that there is a ban on the announcement of development schemes in the mentioned districts.
The offices of the ECP, DROs, ROs and other officials will remain open on week-ends.
Training for the returning officers and other staff has already been completed. In the second phase elections will be held in the remaining districts of the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2021.
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