ECP extends date for withdrawing nomination for LG polls in Sindh, Punjab

Candidates can now withdraw their nomination papers by January 15.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) extended dates for candidates to withdraw their nomination papers for Local Government (LG) elections in Sindh and Punjab, Radio Pakistan reported. 

Candidates now have till January 15 to withdraw their nomination papers, instead of the previously announced date of January 12. The final list will be now published on January 16 instead of January 13 as per the previous schedule.

Earlier, the ECP had suggested the Supreme Court postpone local government elections in Sindh and Punjab and hold them on February 23 and March 13, instead of January 18 and 30 respectively.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, had heard the case against the delimitation of constituencies in Sindh and Punjab.

The apex court had also accepted the Sindh government’s appeal against the Sindh High Court’s verdict declaring the fresh delimitation ‘illegal’  right ahead of the polls. The bench sought details of the amendments made in the legislation by the Sindh government.

The apex court fixed the matter for hearing on January 27, whereas the hearing regarding LB poll in Punjab would be take place on January 13.