KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has sought a delay in the submission of nomination papers for the upcoming Senate election, deeming it difficult to file nomination papers within two days.
PPP’s Secretary-General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari wrote a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), asking the electoral body whether it will be possible to scrutinise the candidates within the deadline.
Nayyar Hussain Bukhari wrote that the time allowed by the Election Commission for submission of forms is not enough. “The parliamentary board of the party will need more time to conduct the interview of the candidates and carry out a scrutiny,” it added.
The party further said that there were also complications in terms of the bank accounts, given the code set by the global anti-money-laundering body. “It wouldn’t be possible to open the bank accounts in a day or two,” the letter maintained.
PPP feared that the candidates will have to stay separated from the elections due to the process being incomplete. “I, therefore, urge the Honourable Chief Election Commissioner to kindly look into and take appropriate steps to redress the situation,” Bukhari added.
Earlier on Thursday, the Election Commission (ECP) announced that March 3 will be the day of voting in the national and provincial assemblies for the Senate elections.
Under the given schedule, candidates will be able to submit their nomination papers between February 12 and 13, while the list of candidates will be released on February 14.
