Panel issues nomination forms to 35 aspirants

Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has so far issued nomination forms to 35 people for the presidential election slated for October 6.

EC Secretary Kanwar M Dilshad told Gulf News on Saturday that five candidates from Islamabad, 16 from Lahore and 14 from other cities had so far been issued nomination papers, adding that he didn't know any eminent person among the candidates, but there might be some.

According to the schedule, nomination papers can be filed till September 27 with the returning or presiding officer in Islamabad or presiding officers in the provincial capitals.

The returning officer in Islamabad would scrutinise the papers on September 29. The candidates can withdraw applications by October 1 before noon. The same day at 1pm, the list of valid candidates would be published. "Anyone can apply for nomination forms but the 'proposer and seconder' of a candidate should be a parliamentarian," Dilshad added.

He said the proposer and seconder would have to produce his identity card, issued by the assembly secretariat concerned, before returning officer at the time of scrutiny.

With the opposition parties divided on resigning from the assemblies, they have not agreed on a joint candidate for the presidential election.