ISLAMABAD: The election schedule is expected to be formally announced tonight by the Election Commission of Pakistan, according to its officials.

A formal announcement is expected by Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim in a press conference to be addressed by him tonight.

According to a copy of the schedule received by Dawn.com, the returning officers would issue a public notice on March 23 of the dates specified by the commission for respective constituencies whereas the collection of nomination papers would begin from March 24.

The returning officers are to issue a public notice on March 24 of the dates specified by the commission for respective constituencies, whereas nomination papers would be received from March 25 to 30 and would be scrutinised between March 31 to April 6.

After the announcement of May 11 as election date by President Asif Ali Zardari, the ECP came into action and prepared the election schedule which was to be formally announced on March 23.