ISLAMABAD: A total of 7,169 directly elected members of local bodies in Balochistan will elect 4,561 members on reserved seats on May 29, according to the schedule for the second phase of LG polls in the province announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday.

Returning officers will issue notices inviting nomination papers on April 24 to be received from April 28 to 30. The notice regarding the received nomination papers will be published on May 2 and objections against them will be received the following day.

Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place from May 4 to 6 following the publication of names of valid candidates. Appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers will be received for two days starting on May 7 and disposed of on May 9, 10 and 12.

May 13 has been fixed as the last date for withdrawal of candidature and the final list of contesting candidates with their election symbols will be published on May 14. Polling will take place on May 29 and results will be declared by the returning officer on June 2.

The first phase of LG polls in Balochistan took place on Dec 7 and by-elections were held on Jan 19.

An ECP official told Dawn that the second phase was delayed because of lacunae in the LG law pointed out by the commission, which now stand removed.

He said in the third phase of the polls, heads and deputy heads of local bodies would be elected.

With a view to guarding against corrupt practices, the ECP has directed all executive authorities at the federal and provincial levels not to use state resources in the LG polls to influence electors in favour of a particular candidate or a political party.

It said any person in government service found to be misusing his position in any manner would be liable to be proceeded against under Section 60 of the Balochistan Local Government Act, 2010.

The commission placed a ban on postings and transfers of civil servants without its approval till the publication of election results.

The prime minister, governor, chief minister, federal and provincial ministers and other public office holders have been barred from visiting the area of any union council to announce any development scheme or to canvass or campaign for any candidate or political party.

No deputy commissioner or district coordination officer will perform protocol duty with the public office holder till the conclusion of the electoral process. Any holder of public office found to have violated any provision of election laws or the commission’s instructions will be proceeded against as mandated in the law.