DCs directed to file details on vacant seats

ECP asks parties to file nomination papers for reserved seats by July 23.

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has directed all deputy commissioners to immediately file details on vacant seats in the local government system.

Well-placed officials in the local government department told The Express Tribune they are likely to obtain details of vacant seats soon after resuming official work on Wednesday (today) after Eid.

An official said the provincial government will initially obtain details of councillors who have died or been killed.

However, the final decision regarding filling of vacant seats will rest with the Election Commission of Pakistan. The provincial government will not object over the nomination of runners-up for vacant seats if these seats had been occupied by councillors who have either resigned or died.

Reserved seats

ECP has directed all parties to ask their members who plan to contest the re-polls to file nomination papers for the reserved seats by July 23.

ECP K-P Spokesperson Sohail Ahmad said this directive is only for those parties who did not file nominations of their candidates in the previous schedule or their quota was exhausted at the time of polls that were held on May 30.

Scrutiny of the nomination papers will be held on July 25 whereas appeals against rejection or acceptance of the papers will be dealt with on July 28. The deadline for the withdrawal of candidature is July 31 and the final list of candidates will be made public on August 1. A list of names for those candidates who will obtain the reserved seats will be announced on August 2.

According to ECP spokesperson, a large number of interested candidates are expected to file nomination papers.

The ECP has announced the schedule for re-polls in polling stations which have been scheduled for July 30.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22^nd, 2015.