ECP to hold by-elections on 33 vacant NA seats on March 16

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday announced by-elections on March 16 for 33 National Assembly (NA) seats.

The ECP is holding by-polls for 33 seats that fell vacant after National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf accepted the resignations of 35 members (including two for reserved seats for women) of the lower house of parliament on January 17.

#ECP Notifies Bye Elections Programme In 33 Constituencies Of National Assembly Of Pakistan pic.twitter.com/sj0xrUndFZ

— Election Commission of Pakistan (OFFICIAL) (@ECP_Pakistan) January 27, 2023

The notification said that the returning officers (RO) would issue a public notice in this regard on Feb 3. Candidates can file their nomination papers with the RO from Feb 6-8.The names of the nominated candidates will be published on Feb 9.The  returning officers (RO) will carry out the scrutiny of the nomination papers till February 13.

According to the election schedule, the last date for the appellate tribunal to decide on the appeals is February 20. After this, the revised list of candidates will be published on February 21.

The last date to withdraw candidature and release of revised list of candidates is February 22 while the election symbols will be allotted on February 23 and the polls will be held on March 16.