ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday issued final list of the presidential candidates and directed for the printing of ballot papers.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Mamnoon Hussain and Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmad of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) are in the run for the coveted slot, according to the list.
The PML-N’s covering candidate Iqbal Zafar Jhagra withdrew his nomination papers today.
Pakistan People Party (PPP) had on Friday announced that it was boycotting the election in protest against the advancing of polling date from Aug 6 to July 30. The PML-N criticised the PPP’s decision and termed it against the spirit of democracy.
Polling to elect the new head of the state will be held at the Parliament House and the four provincial assemblies on July 30 from 10.00 am to 3.00 am.
According to the Constitution, the president will be chosen for five years by an electoral college of 706 lawmakers, including 104 senators and 342 members of the National Assembly and 260 of the provincial assemblies.
50 seats of the national and provincial assemblies are currently vacant, by-polls for which are scheduled for August 22, almost a month after the election of the new president.
DND
