The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has extended the deadline for the submission of nomination papers by two days.

Various political parties, including the PML-N, PPP, BAP, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, among others, had appealed for the extension.

Revised Schedule:

Nomination papers submission: Now open till December 24
Preliminary list of candidates: December 24
Scrutiny of nomination papers: December 25 to 30
Appeals against scrutiny decisions: January 3
Election appellate tribunals' decisions: January 10
Revised list of candidates: January 11
Last date for withdrawal of nomination papers: January 12
Final list of candidates: January 12
Election symbols allotment: January 13
Polling day: February 8

While extending the deadline, the ECP has released a revised election schedule, according to which nomination papers can now be submitted till December 24.

The preliminary list of candidates will now be released on the same day, December 24, as per the revised election schedule. The scrutiny of the nomination papers will now be held from December 25 to 30.

Moreover, appeals against the decisions of the returning officers regarding the scrutiny can be filed by January 3, while the election appellate tribunals will have to pronounce their decisions on the appeals by January 10.

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The revised schedule also states that a revised list of candidates will be published on January 11. The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers by the candidates has been revised to January 12.

Meanwhile, the final list of candidates will also be released on January 12, and the election symbols will be allotted to candidates on January 13.

Polling for the general elections will be held on February 8, according to the revised schedule.

Meanwhile, as the previous deadline of Friday loomed large to file nomination papers, aspirants flooded Lahore's returning officer's office to submit their nomination papers for the upcoming general elections.

With hopes of parliamentary seats, 121 individuals have so far filed their candidatures, vying for a slice of the 644 National Assembly and 1,883 provincial assembly seats allocated to Lahore.

Also Read: Elections 2024: What unfolds after nomination papers are submitted?

The air crackled with anticipation as candidates, accompanied by enthusiastic supporters, jostled to beat the 4:30pm cut-off. Their documents will be scrutinized by officials, marking the first hurdle in their electoral journeys.

While the complete picture will emerge tomorrow when the preliminary list of candidates is published, the sheer number of hopefuls hints at a fierce battle for votes in the City of Gardens. Political veterans, young guns, and newcomers alike have thrown their hats in the ring, eager to convince Lahore's electorate of their worth.