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ARY NEWS

Zahid Mashwani

  • Senate polls: ECP extends last date for filing nomination papers

    Senate polls: ECP extends last date for filing nomination papers

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has extended last date for filing of nomination papers for the upcoming Senate elections, ARY News reported on Saturday.

    The candidates now can submit their nomination papers until February 15, the ECP said in its revised schedule for the Senate polls.

    The Senate polls are scheduled to be held on March 3.

    According to the Senate election schedule issued by Election Commission of Pakistan, the scrutiny of nomination papers will be held between 17 to 18 February.

    Read more: ECP refuses to entertain PPP reservations on Senate election schedule: sources

    The candidates can file appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers on 20th of this month. These appeals will be disposed off until February 23, the notification read.

    The revised list of candidates will be published on February 24, while the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers until February 25.

    The ECP has said that the schedule has been revised to benefit the candidates willing to contest elections for the upper house of the Parliament.

    It is to be noted that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Friday had raised reservations on the Senate election schedule and had pleaded with the CEC to revise the schedule to benefit the candidates.

    Read more: Senate candidates will need clearance from NAB: sources

    On the other hand, the Senate candidates selected by various political parties in the country will have to get a clearance from National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

    According to sources, the Election Commission of Pakistan will finalize lists of the candidates nominated by political parties for the election scheduled on March 03 and will send them to the NAB for a scrutiny process.

  • Senate elections to be held on March 3, announces ECP

    Senate elections to be held on March 3, announces ECP

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday issued the schedule for the Senate elections in the four provinces.

    According to the top electoral body, the polling to elect legislators for the upper house of the parliament will be held on March 3.

    48 lawmakers of the Senate will retire on March 3.

    As many as 52 senators are set to retire — 50 per cent of the 104-member house — on March 11 after completing their six-year tenure. However, this time there will be no polling for the four seats of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) after its merger with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

    Read more: Senate vote being sold for Rs700m in Balochistan: PM

    As per schedule released by the ECP, public notice inviting nomination papers will be issued by the Returning Officers on February 11. The ECP will accept submission of the nomination papers on February 12 and 13.

    Meanwhile, the scrutiny process for the nominations is to be completed on February 15 and 16, and the final list of the contestant will be issued later on Feb 21, while the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers on February 22.

    Yesterday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had decided to scrutinize the credentials of the candidates for upcoming Senate elections through an online process.

    Read more: ECP to scrutinize credentials of Senate candidates via online process

    The documents submitted by the candidates would be verified by the interior ministry, NADRA, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The financial documents would also be verified by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

  • President Alvi signs ordinance for Senate elections through open vote

    President Alvi signs ordinance for Senate elections through open vote

    ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Saturday signed Elections (Amendment) ordinance 2021 that will pave way for the organisation of Senate elections through the open ballot, ARY News reported.

    According to the Ordinance, a copy of which available with ARY News, changes have been brought to Sections 81, 122 and 185 of the Constitution.

    The ordinance will come into force “at once” and “extended to the whole of Pakistan.”

    Amendment of section 81, Act XXXIII of 2017 – “In the Elections Act, 2017 (XXXIII of 2017) in section 81, in sub-section (1), for the word “an”, the expression “subject to section 122, an” shall be substituted.

    Amendment of section 122, Act XXXIII of 2017 – “In the said Act, in section 122, in sub-section (6), for the full stop at the end. a colon shall be substituted and thereafter. the following two provisos shall be added:

    Read More: Federal cabinet greenlights ordinance for Senate polls through open vote

    “Provided that in case the Supreme Court of Pakistan gives an opinion in Reference No 1 of 2021 filed under Article 186 of the Constitution that elections for the members of Senate do not fall within the purview of Article 226 of the Constitution, the poll for elections for members of the Senate to be held in March, 2021 and thereafter shall be conducted by the Commission through open and identifiable ballot

    “Provided further that after the elections for members of Senate, if the head of the political party requests the Commission to show the ballot cast by any voting member of his party, the Commission shall show the same to the head of the political party or his nominee.”

    Amendment of section 185, Act XXXIII of 2017 – “In the said Act, in section 185, for the word “an”, the expression “subject to section 122, an” shall be substituted,” the presidential ordinance added.

    President Alvi signed the ordinance after the federal cabinet today approved the ordinance to legalise the organisation of Senate elections through the open ballot.

    Read: ‘Imran Khan wants to eliminate vote trading; Senate polls likely in March’

    It may be noted here that the presidential reference is also being heard by the Supreme Court (SC) pertains to the organisation of Senate polls through an open vote.

    Earlier on January 28, the federal government had expressed aims for continuing efforts for holding Senate elections through the open ballot.

  • ECP starts preparations to hold elections on 48 Senate seats

    ECP starts preparations to hold elections on 48 Senate seats

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has started preparations to hold Senate elections on 48 seats, citing sources, ARY News reported on Saturday.

    The preparations will be concluded in three phases as the schedule of Senate polls is likely to be unveiled in the second week of February, sources said.

    The training sessions of the concerned officers have been initiated by the ECP, whereas, the training of polling staff will be completed in two phases. The three-day training of first batch will start from next week on Saturday, Sunday and Monday which will be conducted by master trainers of ECP.

    Read: Sadiq Sanjrani supports Senate elections through open ballot

    The second batch of the polling staff will join the training session on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the next week regarding the election conduct. Senior officers of all four provinces will also get training.

    Moreover, the election commission started work on the deputation of returning officers and polling staff for the upcoming Senate polls. The voting will be conducted on the basis of proportional representation and ‘single transferable vote’.

    However, it is still undecided for holding the voting through secret or open ballot until a verdict came out on proceedings underway for the presidential reference.

    Read: ECP opposes Senate polls through open ballot in reply to SC

    The polls will be organised for 48 seats in the Upper House as legislators will vote for the candidates contesting on 11 seats each in Punjab and Sindh, 12 each in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and two in Islamabad.

    It is to be mentioned here that the federal government had moved Supreme Court to seek its opinion over holding Senate elections through open ballot.

    A five-judge larger bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed and comprising of Justice Mushir Alam, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Yahya Afridi is currently hearing the presidential reference.

  • Open hearing of foreign funding case after scrutiny committee’s report: ECP

    Open hearing of foreign funding case after scrutiny committee’s report: ECP

    ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday has again clarified that open hearing in the foreign funding case would only be held after the report of the scrutiny committee, ARY News reported. 

    In another clarification by the ECP, the spokesperson said that the country’s supreme electrocal body will hold open hearing in the foreign funding case after the report of its scrutiny committee.

    There are difficulties over holding the opening hearing of the case, the spokesperson said and added that the scrutiny committee is meeting in the presence of the representatives of the parties.

    Read more: Foreign funding case proceedings cannot be aired live: ECP

    The spokesperson of ECP, in a statement, urged people to avoid making unnecessary statements and analysis about the case without any evidence.

    The statement after Prime Minister Imran Khan had proposed public hearing in the foreign funding case and said it should be aired live. “Foreign funding case proceedings should be aired live on TV so that everything is known to the general public,” the prime minister said while addressing a public rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    Read more: Foreign funding: ‘PTI handed over 40,000 documents, donors’ details to ECP’

  • Federal govt decides summoning NA, Senate sessions on same day

    Federal govt decides summoning NA, Senate sessions on same day

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to summon sessions of the National Assembly and the Senate on the same day on January 22, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

    Adviser to Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan held consultations with PM Imran Khan where they have agreed to summon the sessions of the Upper and Lower Houses on the same day.

    It has been decided to summon the sessions on January 22, whereas, the Senate session will be held on 10:00 am and the National Assembly’s session will be commenced from 10:30 am.

    Read: Federal cabinet decides launching thorough probe into Broadsheet findings

    The federal government has also gotten the written instructions from the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) prior to the organisation of the sessions in view of coronavirus pandemic.

    Babar Awan said in a statement that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has been rejected by masses and urged the opposition parties to return to the parliament. He said that the nation has rejected the style of politics of the ‘deceased’ PDM.

    He asked the opposition leaders to play their role in the Houses to serve masses instead of creating chaos in the country.

  • Cracks appear in PDM alliance: sources

    Cracks appear in PDM alliance: sources

    ISLAMABAD: Cracks among the opposition parties alliance, Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM) are widening, ARY News reported, citing sources. 

    According to the inside story between the meeting of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz vice president Maryam Nawaz and JUI-F and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Maryam expressed displeasure over onesided decisions taken by the Pakistan People’s Party.

    “Bilawal signed Charter of Pakistan and how he is backing from the decisions”, sources privy to the development said.

    Fazlur Rehman also expressed his anger over the recent meeting of Muhammad Ali Durrani with the PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif in jail. We are fighting against political interference of the establishment in political matters and Shehbaz is meeting with their representatives, Fazlur Rehman was quoted as saying as per sources.

    Read more: PPP decides against resigning from assemblies, hints at participating in Senate polls

    Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif assured Maulana not to worry about Shehbaz’s meeting and added that he will do whatever the decisions come out from the PDM platform.

    Furthermore, PML-N also raised objection over Asif Ali Zardari’s contacts with the establishment, said sources.

  • Unofficial result shows PML-N candidate leads Mayor Islamabad by-poll

    Unofficial result shows PML-N candidate leads Mayor Islamabad by-poll

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) remained successful in the by-election for Mayor Islamabad, ARY NEWS reported quoting unconfirmed and unofficial results.

    According to details, the process to elect the top municipal official in the capital continued unabated till 5:00 pm at the Mayor Office and the counting of votes began soon after the culmination of the process before the polling agents of separate parties.

    According to unconfirmed and unverified results, PML-N candidate Pir Adil Shah was declared successful. He obtained 43 votes as compared to PTI ‘s Malik Sajjad who got 26 votes, it emerged after 69 votes were cast during the process against the 73 votes.

    Three candidates were contesting the by-polls on Mayor Islamabad’s seat which included Pir Adil Shah from PML-N, Malik Sajjad from PTI and Azhar Mahmood as an independent candidate.

    The first vote during the process was cast by UC-35 chairman Malik Muhammad Rafiq.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Mayor Islamabad Sheikh Ansar Aziz on October 06 resigned from his post, months after he was restored by the Islamabad High Court after being suspended over corruption allegations.

    Sheikh Ansar Aziz, who belongs to PML-N, resigned from his post four months ahead of the completion of his tenure. Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation spokesman confirmed receiving the resignation from the mayor, however, he expressed his unawareness regarding the reasons behind the move.

    The polling for the vacant seat of Mayor Islamabad was announced by the ECP on December 28 while further announcing district election commissioner Islamabad as returning officer for the polls and regional election commissioner as deputy returning officer.

    The district and session judge Islamabad (West) was appointed as an appellate authority.

  • JUI-F ends party membership of Maulana Sherani, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, others

    JUI-F ends party membership of Maulana Sherani, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, others

    ISLAMABAD: The Disciplinary Committee of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has expelled four members of the party, over violation of party discipline, ARY News reported on Friday, citing sources.

    Sources privy to the development said basic membership of the JUI-F leaders namely Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan and Shujaul Mulk has been ended.

    The decision was unanimously taken by the committee members Agha Ayub Shah, Maulana Abdul Wasay and Maulana Abdul Hakeem. Notification in this regard will be issued soon, the sources added.

    Last week, former Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) ameer Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Maulana Gul Naseeb had criticised the policies of Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

    Terming Maulana Sherani, an honest man, Maulana Gul Naseeb had said the parameters of authenticity have now changed in the JUI-F after the inclusion of rich members in the party.

    Read more: Another JUI-F leader criticises Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    The election ticket of JUI-F was being awarded on the basis of the money after the joining of Talha Mehmood and Azeemullah, he had claimed.

    Earlier, Maulana Sherani had criticised JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, asking how Maulana Fazlur Rehman could call PM Imran Khan a “selected” leader when he, himself, was “selected”.

  • ECP says it has 30 days to conduct polls on Senate seats  

    ECP says it has 30 days to conduct polls on Senate seats  

    ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday cleared the air over holding early Senate elections and said that it has the authority to hold the polls on 52 seats of the upper house of the Parliament between February 11 to March 11, 2020, ARY NEWS reported.

    “A law defining procedure of the Senate polls is already present,” the election commission said adding that the ECP has 30 days to hold the elections on the seats of retiring Senators.

    Half of the Senators in the upper house will retire by March 11, 2020 after completing their six-year tenure and an election for the slot of Chairman and Deputy Chairman Senate would be held on March 12.

    The chairman and deputy chairman would take oath of their responsibilities on the same day.

    It is pertinent to mention here that on December 15, the federal government decided to hold Senate elections in February rather than in March.

    The cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan further decided to hold Senate elections through a show of hands procedure rather than a secret ballot.

    For this purpose, the top consultative body of the federal government decided to approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan in this regard, where it would file a reference under Article 186 of the Constitution of Pakistan for the changes.

    Read More: PML-N announces to approach court against early Senate elections 

    Later on December 16, Prime Minister Imran Khan also confirmed the move saying that the government will hold the Senate elections, scheduled for March, at an earlier date.

    Speaking to the media here, he revealed the government has decided to hold the polls through show of hands instead of a secret ballot to bring an end to the practice of horse-trading and added it is going to approach the Supreme Court to seek its opinion on the proposed changes in the voting procedure.