Today marks the commencement of the crucial third phase of the national elections in Islamabad, set to take place on February 8.
As of today, candidates have the opportunity to contest rejections of their nomination papers, with appeals being accepted from January 1 until Wednesday, January 3. Among those filing appeals are former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
A dedicated cell has been established to handle these appeals in the High Courts, although concerns have emerged regarding potential delays caused by the absence of certified written decisions from the returning officers who rejected the nomination papers. All appeals are slated to be adjudicated upon by High Court tribunals by January 10.
The revised list of candidates will be released by the rating officers on January 11. Subsequently, candidates can withdraw their nomination papers until January 12, following which election symbols will be allocated to them on January 13. Furthermore, scrutiny of papers for reserved seats for women and minorities will continue until January 13.
