Bilawal Bhutto
In a strategic move, the Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has shifted his electoral battleground from NA-128 to NA-127. The decision signifies a calculated shift in the PPP’s approach to the upcoming elections. Initially slated for NA-128, the PPP chairman’s candidature will now be put forward in NA-127, while former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will be contesting from NA-128. The nomination papers on behalf of Bilawal Bhutto were submitted by the PPP Lahore, led by General Secretary Rana Jameel Manj and Qasim Gilani.
Today marks the concluding day for the submission of nomination papers for the impending general elections in 2024. The Election Commission had granted a two-day extension, stretching the deadline to December 30th. Under the revised schedule, the scrutiny of nomination papers will unfold from December 25th to December 30th. Challenges to the decisions of the returning officers will be entertained until January 3rd, and the polling date is set for February 8, 2024.
As political leaders engage in the ongoing process of filing nomination papers, the Election Commission‘s two-day extension is set to expire today. The completion of the nomination paper submission process is expected across all four provinces. In Lahore alone, over 150 candidates have submitted their papers for the 14 National Assembly seats. Meanwhile, more than 350 candidates are gearing up for the electoral challenge in 30 provincial constituencies. Nawaz Sharif is slated to submit his papers from NA-123, while Javed Iqbal Tarin will be vying for seats in three constituencies. Tarin has submitted papers for NA-155 in Lodhran, PP-227, and NA-149 in Multan. Imran Khan’s electoral pursuits span Mianwali, Islamabad, and Lahore, with his nomination papers lodged from NA-122. Maryam Nawaz, eyeing contests in five constituencies, has submitted nomination papers for NA-119 and NA-120 in Lahore.