Amid a controversy surrounding the Senate elections over the secret ballot, the Election Commission of Pakistan has announced to hold the polls on the upper house seats on March 3.
According to the ECP, the last date for filing of nomination papers is February 13, followed by a scrutiny process for the nominations. The last date for filing of appeals against acceptance or rejection of papers is February 18, said a notification issued by the ECP.
The date for disposal of appeals is Feb 19-20, whereas candidates can withdraw their applications by Feb 22 a day after issuance of the revised list of the contestants. The polling will start at 9am and end at 5pm on March 3.
The Senate elections will be held on 48 seats: two in Islamabad (National Assembly); 11 in Punjab; 11 in Sindh; 12 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; and 12 in Balochistan.
On February 6, President Dr Arif Alvi signed Elections (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 that will pave way for the organisation of Senate elections through open ballot. The opposition, however, has reservations on the move and vowed to oppose it.
On the other hand, a presidential reference filed by the government in the Supreme Court seeking guidance on the Senate voting procedure is being heard to decide whether the government needs an amendment to end the secret ballot.
Yesterday, the SC had said that Article 226 allows secret ballot. The article reads: “All elections under the constitution, other than those of the prime minister and the chief minister, shall be by secret ballot.”
