KARACHI: The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Friday nominated Senator Raza Rabbani as their candidate for the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for August 6.

Senior PPP leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim announced the party's decision to nominate Senator Rabbani at a press briefing at the Chief Minister House here on Friday.

Fahim said that the party leadership and workers had supported Rabbani's nomination and that the party wished to gather the support of the other opposition parties in the presidential elections.

Senator Raza Rabbani, who was also present at the press briefing, requested opposition parties for their support in the upcoming polls.

President Asif Ali Zardari’s five-year tenure expires Sept 8. The former ruling party would have to put up a tough fight if it wishes to retain the seat of the president.

Given party position and affiliations, the ruling PML-N appears to be set for a smooth sailing through the presidential polls.

The opposition can produce some fight only if it agrees on a joint candidate.

According to an earlier report by Dawn, if all members of the Electoral College vote in accordance with party lines, no candidate will have the potential to create a hurdle in the way of the PML-N’s nominee entering the presidency.

The ruling PML-N is yet to formally announce their choice for presidential candidate.

However, according to media reports, the PML-N top leadership held a party meeting on Friday and shortlisted the names of national security advisor Sartaj Aziz, former Chief Justice Saeeduz Zaman Siddqiui, former Sindh governor Mamnoon Hussain, Senior PML-N leader Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, former Chief Minister Sindh Syed Ghous Ali Shah and former Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Mehtab Abbasi.

Reports said the PML-N also decided to contact other political parties for their support to further solidify its position in the presidential race.

According to the approved schedule for the presidential election announced by the Election Commission, nomination forms would be submitted on July 24.

The scrutiny of the forms would conclude on July 26 whereas the last day to withdraw candidacy would be July 29. The list of candidatures would also be issued on July 29.

Results for the Aug 6 election would be announced the next day on August 7.