Islamabad, The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is set to conduct the scrutiny of nomination papers for the upcoming Senate elections on Tuesday, aiming to fill forty-eight vacant seats. The revised list of candidates will be released on the 26th, with a deadline for the withdrawal of nomination papers set for the 27th. This electoral exercise will include seats for general members, technocrats including Ulema, women, and non-Muslims across the federal capital and four provincial assemblies.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the election process is meticulously planned, with members of the National Assembly in Islamabad electing senators for one general seat and one technocrat seat including Ulema. Meanwhile, members from the provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan will choose senators for seven general seats, two seats for women, and two for technocrats including Ulema from each province, in addition to one seat for non-Muslims from both Punjab and Sindh provinces.
Polling is scheduled for the second of next month, marking a significant step in replenishing the Senate’s composition. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, forty-two candidates have thrown their hats in the ring, with twenty-five vying for the seven general seats. Ten candidates have submitted papers for the two technocrat and Ulema seats, and seven women are contesting for the two seats reserved for them. This detailed breakdown was provided by Sohail Ahmad, a spokesman for the ECP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting the competitive landscape of the upcoming Senate elections.