ISLAMABAD: The returning officers (ROs) will decide whether to approve or reject nomination papers on Saturday (today).

The ROs have so far scrutinised the nomination papers of 157 candidates contesting the upcoming elections for three National Assembly seats from Islamabad.

According to District Returning Officer Irfan Nawz Memon, the ROs scrutinised the papers of the 157 candidates so far submitted for NA-46, NA-47 and NA-48 constituencies since Wednesday.

The remaining nomination papers of the candidates will be scrutinised on Saturday (today), Mr Memon added.

Papers of 126 candidates vying for three seats in Taxila accepted

Taxila

Nomination papers of 126 candidates for three constituencies of Taxila including one national and two provincial assembly seats were accepted on Friday.

As many as 39 nomination papers were accepted by the Returning Officer in Taxila for one seat of the National Assembly NA-54, Rawalpindi-III.

Prominent among them heavyweights like former Federal Minister for interior Ch Nisar Ali Khan, former federal minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan, former member national assembly Mansoor Hayat Khan and Barrister Aqeel Malik. Nomination paper of former provincial minister Taimour Masood Akbar, who remained underground after he was booked in Section 7 of anti terrorist act and announced his decision to quitting PTI was also accepted.

As many as 39 nomination papers were accepted for the provincial assembly constituency of Taxila, PP-12, Rawalpindi-VI.

Key figures among them were former Punjab assembly member Ammar Sadeeq Khan, former member Punjab assembly Shahfeeq Khan, Barrister Aqeel Malik, Zeeshan Butt and Mohsin Ayub Khan.

The returning officer accepted 48 nomination papers for provincial assembly seat of Wah, PP-13 Rawalpindi-VII in which key figures are former member Punjab assembly Umer Farooq, former member Punjab assembly Waqas Khan, Barrister Aqeel Malik, Malik Azmat Mehmood, Kalsoom Chaudhury and former provincial minister Taimour Masood Akbar.

According to the schedule of the Election Commission Pakistan, appeals against the decisions of returning officers can be filed until Jan 3 and decision on appeals will be made by Jan 10.

The revised list of candidates will be released on Jan 11, and candidature can be withdrawn by Jan 12. Election symbols will be allotted on Jan 13.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2023