Punjab to go to polls on April 30.

PESHAWAR -- The controversy of elections schedule in the two provincAes (Punjab and Khyber PakhAtunkhwa) could not be fully resolved as the Election CommisAsion of Pakistan (ECP) yesterday announced the general elections for the Punjab assembly fixing April 30 as the polling day.

The matter of election schedule for the KP assembly remained inconclusive despite the talks between KP Governor and top members of electoral watchdog were held in Peshawar the same day. The ECP, after a month-long political wrangling, finalAly issued the schedule for the elections in Punjab assembly. The top electoral body also isAsued a schedule for the by-elecAtions on the six vacant seats of the National Assembly. The matAter of elections schedule in PunAjab reached an agreement as the public notice by the returnAing officer (RO) will be issued on March 11. The dates from March 12-14 have been specified for filAing of nomination papers.

The names of the nominated candidates will be published on March 15. Last date for scrutiny of nomination papers is March 22, according to the press note issued by ECP.

It says March 27 will be the last date for filing of appeals against the ROs' decisions, with April 3 as the last date for deciding apApeals by the Appellate Tribunal.

The revised list of candidates will be published on April 4, while April 5 will be the last day for withdrawal of candidaAture and publishing the final list. Likewise, the election symbols will be allotted to the contesting candidates on April 6 with pollAing day as April 30. The notificaAtion said the schedule will also be applicable for reserved seats for women and minorities.

It may be mentioned here that the apex court last week in its verdict had said that the elecAtions to the Punjab and KP asAsemblies should be held within the stipulated period of 90 days. President Dr Arif Alvi and the KP governor would fix dates for Punjab and KP assemblies, reAspectively, in consultation with the ECP, according to the deciAsion by the court.

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The electoral watchdog, folAlowing the orders by the apex court, had written separate letAters to the president and the KP governor. In the letter to Alvi, the electoral watchdog had proAposed dates between April 30 and May 7 for the elections. The President on the same day had announced that elections in PunAjab would be held on April 30.

ELECTION SCHEDULE IN KP REMAINS INCONCLUSIVE

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