ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has unveiled the timetable for the upcoming presidential election, saying it is mandatory to hold presidential elections within 30 days after the general elections, citing Article 41(4) of the Constitution.
According to officials, the ECP will release the official schedule and public notice for the election of the president on March 1.
“The election commission will issue the schedule of the presidential election and public notice on March 1,” the ECP said in a statement. “According to the Constitution, one day will be given to submit the nomination papers.”
The statement came a day after National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf summoned the maiden sitting of lower house of Parliament on Feb 29 as President Arif Alvi refused to summon the session on account of an ‘incomplete house’.
It said that by constitutional provisions, a specific day will be designated for the submission of nomination papers, and candidates have the option to submit these papers to any presiding officer.
The election commission further said that the nomination papers can be submitted to any presiding officer by 12pm on March 2. “All the presidential candidates can get the nomination papers from the ECP secretariat in Islamabad or any provincial election commissioner,” it noted.
The electoral watchdog also cited Articles 91 and 130 of the Constitution which stated that the National Assembly shall meet on the 21st day following the general elections.
Emphasising the constitutional framework, the ECP underscored that, as per Article 41, the election of the president must be conducted within 30 days following the conclusion of general elections.
The ECP said all the assemblies will be formed by February 29, paving the way for the presidential election.
