ISLAMABAD: The process of filing nomination papers for general election that kicked off on March 24 is continuing throughout the country.
According to reports, as many as 329 nomination papers for National Assembly seats of Punjab were issued on Sunday, the first day of filing nomination papers for general election 2013.
Returning officers of the Punjab also issued 572 nomination papers to contenders for the provincial assembly seats.
However, the sources in the Election Commission Punjab said that not a single contestant had submitted his or her nomination papers on the first day.
It has further been learnt that 59 nomination papers have so far been issued for minorities. The commission has also issued 155 nomination papers for the reserved seats of women, including 35 seats of national assembly and 66 of provincial assembly from the Punjab.
The contestants from the Lahore district have received their nomination papers from the 13 returning officers who are additional district and sessions judges and performing their duties in judicial complex. For 25 general seats of the provincial assembly and 13 of National Assembly seats from Lahore, 289 people have obtained nomination papers.
The contestants from minorities received their nomination papers from the office of the provincial election commissioner. Punjab Election Commissioner Syed Muhammad Tariq Qadri is the returning officer for the reserved seats. Contestants can receive and submit their nomination papers until March 29.
It is pertinent to mention here that according to section 12(3) of the Representation of Public Act, every nomination paper shall be delivered to the Returning Officer by the candidate in person.
However, the candidates may attend the process of scrutiny of nomination papers in their own interest but in case they prefers to remain absent, their nomination papers cannot be rejected due to their failure to appear before the Returning Officer concerned on the date of scrutiny.
Moreover, the candidates can file the certificate from their political parties showing their party affiliations either at the time of filing nomination papers or at the time of scrutiny or at the time of allocation of symbols on the date of withdrawal, April 14,2013, in terms of section 20A of the Act.
The filing of nomination papers will continue till 29th of this month. Scrutiny of nomination papers would be held from 30th of this month to 5th of April.
Last date for filing of appeals against decisions of the Returning Officers regarding acceptance or rejection of the nomination papers would be the 9th April.
Tribunals would decide appeals by 16th of next month.
Last date for withdrawal of candidature will be 17th and revised list of candidates would be published on 18th of April. Moreover, elections will be held on 11th of May this year.
DND
