The initiation of the nomination paper submission process for Elections 2024 has commenced nationwide. Candidates are actively acquiring nomination papers from the respective Returning Officer (RO) offices situated in Islamabad and various provinces.

From December 20 to 22, candidates can formally submit their nomination papers at the designated RO office. The preliminary list of candidates is slated to be unveiled on December 23, following which the rigorous scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted from December 24 to 30.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has delineated essential guidelines for nomination papers. Each candidate is permitted to submit a maximum of five nomination papers, each with different proposers. The fee structure stands at Rs 30,000 for National Assembly seats and Rs 20,000 for Provincial Assembly seats. Crucially, candidates must be citizens of Pakistan and at least 25 years old at the time of nomination paper submission.

Eligibility criteria

National Assembly candidates can hail from any voting constituency in Pakistan, while Provincial Assembly candidates must belong to the respective province. Additionally, for seats reserved for women in the National Assembly, candidates must be voters of the corresponding province.

Decisions by the Appellate Tribunal are expected to be reached by January 10. Subsequently, the revised list of candidates will be published on January 11, providing a window for withdrawal of nomination papers until January 12. The allocation of election symbols is scheduled for January 13.

Nawaz Sharif

Nawaz Sharif, the leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has confirmed his candidacy for the upcoming elections from National Assembly Constituency NA-15 in Mansehra. He has obtained the necessary nomination papers. Additionally, a total of 20 candidates, including prominent PML-N figure Sardar Yusuf, have received nomination papers from Mansehra Constituency NA-14.

Bilawal Bhutto

Moreover, Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has acquired nomination papers for NA-194 in Larkana. Simultaneously, nomination papers have been collected from three constituencies for Jahangir Tareen, the leader of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).

Shehbaz Sharif

Shehbaz Sharif, the President of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), has made the decision to contest the elections from the NA-242 constituency in Karachi. The nomination form for PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif has been received, confirmed party sources mentioning Saleheen Tanoli as the recipient of Sharif's form for NA-242.

Imran Khan

Former Pakistan Threek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan will contest elections from three constituencies. PTI Senator Ali Zafar has claimed that Imran Khan had filed a petition against the suspension of his sentence.

Fawad Ch

Fawad Chaudhry has announced that he will contest the elections from inside the prison. An application was filed in court to allow the submission of nomination papers for Fawad Chaudhry. “I am incarcerated in Central Adiala Jail and I have to submit nomination papers for election,” the application stated. He further said in the plea that he wanted to authorise his brother Faraz for issuing stamp papers and other matters. Fawad Chaudhry's request has been approved, and he was allowed to sign the nomination papers.

Mustafa Kamal

Furthermore, Mustafa Kamal, the MQM Senior Deputy Colonel, submitted his nomination papers for NA-242 at the DRO office.

Sheikh Rashid

In Rawalpindi, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, the leader of Awami Muslim League, has submitted nomination papers for himself and former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid for NA-55 and NA-56. Simultaneously, candidates across the nation are acquiring nomination forms from the Election Commission offices.

Saira Banu

Saira Banu, the spokesperson for the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), has made the decision to run for a seat in the National Assembly on a general ticket.

Under the guidance of GDA chief Pir Pagada, Saira Banu is set to be the GDA's nominee for the NA-210 constituency in Tando Adam.

In this electoral contest, Saira Banu will be competing against PPP's Roshan Junejo. Following the submission of her nomination papers from the constituency, Banu will commence her campaigning efforts.

IPP President Aleem Khan

President of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) Abdul Aleem Khan will contest elections from a national assembly seat and two provincial assembly constituencies of Lahore.

On Wednesday, Aleem Khan obtained nomination papers from NA 119 and PP-149 from Lahore. Abdul Aleem Khan could also be a candidate from the constituency PP-150 of the Punjab Assembly.

Nomination papers have been received for all three constituencies and likely nomination papers would be submitted on Thursday (tomorrow).

Balochistan

In Balochistan, the initiation of issuing and collecting nomination papers for the general elections in 2024 commenced today. The candidates are in the process of submitting their nomination papers for three national and nine provincial assembly seats in Quetta.

As per the latest updates, 20 nomination papers have been issued for the National Assembly seat NA-262 from Quetta by the returning officer. Meanwhile, for NA-264 Quetta, a significant number ranging from 3 to 27 candidates have received nomination papers.

Similarly, the Provincial Assembly Constituency PB 39 has seen 13 candidates receiving nomination papers, while PB 38's Returning Officer issued 7 nomination papers. Moreover, PB 40 witnessed the issuance of 22 nomination papers. For PB42, 28 candidates have received nomination papers, PB44's returning officers have issued 25 nomination papers, and PB41's officers provided 13 forms to the candidates.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the acceptance of nomination papers from candidates has commenced. As per the Provincial Election Commission, a total of 113 women have received forms specifically designed for seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with 51 forms already issued for minority seats. Candidates vying for the general seats of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly are actively submitting their nomination papers at the offices of their respective Assistant Commissioners.

Meanwhile in Islamabad, the process of receiving nomination papers continues. Currently, 75 individuals have collected nomination papers from NA-48, while 35 individuals have obtained nomination papers from NA-46.