The last date to submit nomination papers is Dec 22.
ISLAMABAD: As the wheels of democracy begin to turn, the initiation of the nomination process for both provincial and national assembly seats mark the commencement of preparations for the forthcoming general elections in 2024, scheduled for February 8.
In the vibrant city of Lahore, the political landscape takes shape as Sanam Javed’s father actively engages in the democratic process, securing nomination papers for his daughter on the reserved seats designated for women.
Across the electoral spectrum, prominent figures like Rana Mubasher Iqbal and Abdullah Khan have formally entered the race by obtaining nomination papers for NA 124.
Adding to the roster of aspirants, Tahir Iqbal Sindhu, representing the PML-N, has submitted nomination papers for the minority seat.
In the electoral arena of NA 53 in Rawalpindi, a cohort of 21 candidates, including noteworthy figures such as Chaudhry Nisar, Naeem Ejaz, Qamar Islam, and Ajmal Saber, have initiated the nomination process through their designated representatives, setting the stage for a competitive electoral contest.
Meanwhile, the political landscape in Rawalpindi further unfolds as Rashid Shafiq takes a proactive step by obtaining a nomination paper on behalf of his uncle, Sheikh Rashid, for NA 55 and 56.
As part of the election schedule, the candidates will be able to submit nomination papers within a three-day timeline.
The last date to submit nomination papers is Dec 22.
However, after the submission of the nomination, the preliminary list of the candidates will be released on December 23.
According to the schedule issued by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the scrutiny of nomination papers will be from December 24 to 30 and objections can be filed till January 03 while appeals against nomination papers will be heard till January 10.
The revised list of candidates will be released on January 11, 2024, election symbols will be allotted to the candidates on January 13, while the general elections across the country will be held on February 8, 2024.
While,
General elections: SC seeks candidates’ input in lifetime disqualification
The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday released an advertisement to seek candidates’ input before taking up the lifetime disqualification matter of lawmakers, ARY News reported.
The top court issued ad to resolve the discrepancy between the judicial decision on lifetime disqualification under Article 62 (1) (f) and the amendments made to the Elections Act, 2017.
The advertisement released in the different newspapers has invited inputs from the candidates willing to contest general elections in the matter of lifetime disqualification.
“Interested candidates can submit detailed written replies to SC if they want,” the ad read.
A seven-member bench of SC will take up pleas to resolve the discrepancy between the judicial decision on lifetime disqualification under Article 62 (1) (f) and section 232 of the amended Elections Act, 2017.
The advertisement released by SC further stated that the decision on the pleas can affect the candidates willing to contest the general elections 2024.
In the last hearing on the pleas on December 11, SC issued notices to Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan, advocate generals of all the provinces and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to assist the court.
The apex court’s notice came on a petition filed by a former MPA of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), Shamona Badshah Qaisrani, who was disqualified over a fake degree in 2007.
The lifetime disqualification matter
In 2018, a five-judge bench of Supreme Court unanimously held that disqualification handed down under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution is for life.
Under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution of Pakistan, which sets the precondition for a member of parliament to be ‘sadiq and ameen’ (honest and righteous), former prime minister and PMLN chief Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the SC bench on July 28, 2017, in references pertaining to the Panama Papers.
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Similarly, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder was also disqualified under the same article in the Toshakhana case earlier this year.
However, in June, the then-coalition government passed an amendment to the Elections Act 2017, which limited the disqualification of lawmakers to five years.
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