The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the schedule for the elections in the province, which will be held on April 30.
The ECP’s announcement for the election in Punjab ends the months-long political drama surrounding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
After the Supreme Court ruled that the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies elections should be held within the allotted period of 90 days, President Alvi set April 30 (Sunday) as the date for those elections.
In case of practical difficulties, the supreme court permitted the ECP to propose a poll date that differed from the 90-day deadline by the “bare minimum.” As a result, consultations were held before April 30 was decided.
Sr. No | Events | Date |
1. | Notification of the election program | 08.03.2023 |
2. | Public notice to be issued by the Returning Officer on | 11.03.2023 |
3. | Dates for filing of nomination papers with the Returning Officer by the candidates | 12.03.2023 to 14.03.2023 |
4. | Publication of names of the nominated candidates | 15.03.2023 |
5. | Last date for scrutiny of nomination papers by the Returning Officer | 22.03.2023 |
6. | Last date for filing appeals against decisions of the Returning Officer rejecting/accepting the nominations papers | 27.03.2023 |
7. | Last date for deciding appeals by the Appellate Tribunal | 03.04.2023 |
8. | Publication of revised list of candidates | 04.04.2023 |
9. | Last date for withdrawal of candidature and Publication of revised list of candidates | 05.04.2023 |
10. | Allotment of election symbols to contesting candidates | 06.04.2023 |
11. | Polling day | 30.04.2023 |
The ECP notification states, “In pursuance of the dissolution of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab on 14th January 2023 and Order dated 1st March 2023 passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan in Suo Motu Case No. 1 of 2023, Constitution Petition No.1 of 2023 and Constitution Petition No.2 of 2023 and announcement of date by the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as 30th April 2023, the Election Commission of Pakistan in terms of Article 224(2) and 254 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan read with Section 57(2) of the Elections Act, 2017 (Act No. XXXIII of 2017) and all other powers enabling it in the behalf, hereby call upon the electors of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab constituencies to elect their representative from each of these constituencies to the general seats,”