The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced that it will be preserving the current number of seats in the national and provincial assemblies.
The ECP has also revealed that the preliminary delimitation for the constituencies is in the final stages of being determined.
The electoral watchdog will officially release the list of preliminary constituencies on September 27. Despite the creation of new constituencies, the existing seats in the national and provincial assemblies will not be altered.
Meanwhile, the constituency committees of the ECP have successfully completed the groundwork for the initial constituencies.
In a statement, the ECP expressed its commitment to carrying out this important task swiftly and efficiently throughout the nation, in preparation for the upcoming general elections.
Following the approval of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other members, the list of preliminary constituencies will be made public.
Moreover, the ECP informed citizens that they can submit suggestions and objections concerning these constituencies from September 28 to October 27.
The commission will thoroughly review these submissions and provide their decision by November 26. Subsequently, the final list of constituencies will be disclosed on November 30.
It is noteworthy that earlier last week, the ECP had said that general elections would be held in the last week of January.
The electoral watchdog proposed a schedule for the elections, with a likely date for the polls set for January 28.
In a statement, the commission had stated that it has been reviewing the work on delimiting constituencies, and the initial list for the delimitation of constituencies will be published on September 27.
The final report will be published after objections and suggestions have been considered, on September 30.
The commission has invited all political parties on October 4 for consultations on the general elections and the code of conduct.
A preliminary code of conduct, consisting of 88 points, has been sent to political leaders. During a consultative meeting, suggestions will be taken from the political parties, following which the final code of conduct will be announced.
Meanwhile, preparations for conducting free and transparent elections in the country are in the final stage.
According to the election program, the election schedule can be announced from November 30 to December 5.
The possible date for submission of nomination papers is December 6, and the names of the nominated candidates will be published thereafter.
The nomination papers will then undergo scrutiny. If the nomination papers are rejected or approved, appeals can be made. Candidates also have the option to withdraw their nomination papers if desired. Subsequently, election symbols will be allotted.
Under the Election Act, all political parties need to submit lists for seats reserved for women and minorities in the national and provincial assemblies. For reserved seats, candidates must meet the qualifications outlined in Article 63A of the Constitution.
According to Article 51(1) of the Constitution, the National Assembly has 60 seats reserved for women and 10 for minorities.
In the provincial assemblies, Punjab has allocated 8 seats for minority candidates and 66 seats for women candidates under Article 106. Sindh has reserved 29 seats for women and 8 seats for minorities. Balochistan has allocated 11 seats for women and 3 seats for minorities.
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