Senate polls' second phase kicks off

The second phase of the Senate elections has kicked off nationwide, with returning officers initiating the process of scrutinising the candidates' credentials.

Commencing today, the scrutiny of nomination papers will span across today and tomorrow (Wednesday), ensuring a thorough assessment of candidates vying for Senate seats.Four candidates are contending for two seats in the federal capital, Islamabad.

The contenders include Ishaq Dar representing the coalition government on the technocrat seat, Advocate Raja Ansar Mahmood from the Sunni Ittehad Council, Rana Mehmoodul Hassan of the PPP contesting the general seat of Islamabad, and Farzand Hussain Shah representing the Sunni Ittehad Council.

Any appeals regarding the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers are slated for disposal by March 25, with the final list of candidates scheduled for display on March 27.

Polling for the Senate elections is set for April 2, preceded by the issuance of a revised candidate list on March 26 and a window for withdrawal of nomination papers until March 27.

Read ECP announces schedule for Senate polls

In the federal capital, members of the National Assembly will cast their votes to elect senators for one general seat and one seat for technocrats, including Ulema.

Similarly, members of the four provincial assemblies will participate in the selection process, electing senators for various seats, including general, women, and technocrats, in accordance with provincial quotas.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 42 candidates have submitted their nomination papers, with 25 vying for general seats, 10 for technocrats and Ulema seats, and seven women candidates for reserved seats.

Meanwhile, the Balochistan election commission has released a preliminary list of candidates for the province's vacant Senate seats.

Among the 38 candidates whose nomination papers have been approved, 17 are competing for general seats, 13 for technocrat seats, and 8 for women's seats.