ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has released statistics regarding the nomination papers submitted for the upcoming 2024 general elections, as well as the number of nomination papers accepted and rejected.
According to information released by the electoral body, a total of 6,449 candidates have received approval for their nomination papers, comprising 6,094 male candidates and 355 female candidates, contesting National Assembly seats across Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad Capital Territory.
Returning officers (ROs) have rejected the nomination papers of 1,024 candidates, including 934 men and 90 women, vying for National Assembly seats.
The total number of candidates filing nomination papers for the aforementioned assembly stands at 7,473, including 445 women. The ROs, designated by the electoral body, have endorsed 16,262 nomination papers out of the 18,478 submitted for the four provincial assemblies. This figure includes 17,670 male candidates and 808 female candidates.
Nomination papers from 2,216 candidates, encompassing 2,081 men and 135 women, failed to secure approval from the ROs for provincial assemblies.
ECP Approves Nomination Papers for NA and PAs Seats
In total, the ECP reported the approval of 22,711 nomination papers for National Assembly and provincial assemblies general seats, with 21,684 being men and 1,027 women. The total submission of papers stood at 25,951.
The ECP said that ROs rejected the nomination papers of 3,240 candidates from both national and provincial assemblies, with 3,015 being male candidates and 225 being female candidates.
During the five-day scrutiny period, which began on December 25, significant setbacks were encountered by prominent political figures such as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, as their nomination papers for various constituencies were rejected.
On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) witnessed success, as senior leaders including Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and others secured ECP approval for their nomination papers.
Candidates whose nomination papers were rejected still have the option to appeal the decision of the electoral body by January 3. The ECP’s Appellate Tribunal will then adjudicate the appeals by January 10, followed by the subsequent publication of the revised list of candidates on January 11.
