ISLAMABAD: With little time for preparing the budget, the PML-N wants an early session of the National Assembly but it seems the winning party will have to wait until last week of this month to assume power.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has 10 days after the election day to notify the winning candidates, after which President Asif Ali Zardari can summon session of the assembly no later than June 1.

A senior ECP official said under the constitution, winning candidates have 10 days after the election day to submit details of their expenditures. It is a mandatory requirement for a candidate to be formally declared winner.

In reply to a question, he said after the notification of the results, candidates elected as independents would be given a three-day window to join a political party. Those who fail to do so in the specified period, will remain independent for five years.

Then on the basis of final tally of seats obtained by political parties, a decision will be made about reserved seats for women and minorities on the basis of proportional representation. The process will take three to four days.

As per article 91 (2) of the constitution, the first session of the assembly has to be held not later than the 21st day after the election day unless summoned sooner by the president. Therefore, the next assembly will have to meet by June 1.

Talking to Dawn, a senior leader of the PML-N, Ayaz Sadiq, urged the ECP to issue the notification of results as soon as possible. “Our main concern at the moment is budget making for which we need to be in government as soon as possible.”

When asked whether his party wanted the swearing-in ceremony of its government to coincide with May 28, the anniversary of nuclear explosions in 1998, Mr Sadiq said he was not aware of any such desire.

However, a source in the PML-N said some party leaders believed it would send a powerful message if Nawaz Sharif was administrated the oath as prime minister on May 28.

Caretaker Law Minister Ahmar Bilal Sufi said only the president had the authority to decide on the date of the assembly session. But if he fails to do so within three weeks after the election day, the law ministry can call the session on its own.