ISLAMABAD, Feb 14: The Election Commission on Tuesday accepted three nominations papers from Islamabad but an equal number of nominations were rejected.

PML’s Wasim Sajjad could be declared unopposed on the technocrat seat from Islamabad if no candidate appealed against rejection of nomination papers till Feb 16.

Secretary of the Election Commission Kanwar Mohammad Dilshad said that the scrutiny of nomination papers for a technocrat and a general seat from the federal capital accepted the nomination papers. Returning officer R.B. Jan Wahidi conducted the scrutiny.

Nomination papers of PML’s Tariq Azim Khan and B.A. Malik of the PPP were also accepted for the only general seat from the federal capital.

Papers of Mazhar Ali Chaudhry and Dr Nisar Ahmed Sheikh on technocrat seat and Tariq Ijaz (all of the PPP) on general seat were rejected. Appeals could be filed by Feb 16.

Similarly, the returning Officer for Fata rejected nomination papers of one candidate out of the 41 filed. The only nomination from Fata was rejected because the candidate was underage.

Likewise, the scrutiny of nomination papers from Punjab, Sindh, the NWFP and Balochistan was also completed.

The election for two seats from Islamabad and four seats from FATA would be held on March 4 in the National Assembly while the provincial assemblies will elect 11 each Senators on March 6. The new senators will assume their office on March 11, 2006.

Meanwhile, Karachi-based lawyer Maulvi Iqbal Haider challenged before the Election Commission the filing of nomination papers by senators who were retired during a ballot held last month.

The lawyer, who is also chairman of the Awami Himayat Tehrik Pakistan, questioned the eligibility of senators, who are to retire on March 11, to file nomination papers without the expiry of their terms.

The petitioner has made respondents all 50 senators, who are retiring next month. Our Staff Correspondent in Quetta adds: Nomination papers of eight of the 46 candidates were rejected during scrutiny here on Tuesday.

The Provincial Election Commissioner, Sono Khan Baloch, who was appointed as returning officer for senate election in Balochistan, scrutinized the nomination papers and rejected eight nomination papers on various grounds.

After the rejection of eight nomination papers, 38 candidates remained in the field for contesting election on 11 vacant Senate seats from Balochistan, including 20 candidates for general, nine for technocrat and nine for women seats.

Candidates, whose nomination papers were rejected, include Mohammad Akram Wali and Mohammad Yousuf (independent) on general seats, Arab Mohammad Hashim, Dr Sardar Mohammad Hussain (independent), Maulvi Qamarud Din, Maulvi Allah Dad Kahirkhwah (MMA) and Sajid Tareen (BNP-M) on technocrats and Mrs Samina Raziq (independent) on women’s seats.

Prospective candidates from Balochistan included a former governor, Fazal Agha, a former Chief Minister, Mir Jan Mohammad Khan Jamali, sitting deputy speaker, Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, nine former senators and eight former provincial ministers.

Candidate for general seats included, Mian Saifullah Khan Paracha, Syed Fazal Agha, Mir Israrullah Zehri, Mohammad Zarait, Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, Mir Jan Mohammad Khan Jamali, Mohammad Wali, Mohammad Ismail Buledi, Dr. Azizullah Satakzai, Bashir Ahmed, Manzoor Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Agha Shahid Hussain Bugti, Mir Muhabbat Khan Marri, Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, Abdul Rahim Khan Mandokhel, Mohammad Usman Khan Kakar, Agha Hassan, Mohammad Abdul Qadir and Ayaz Khan Mandokhel.

Besides candidates for technocrats, include Dr Abdul Malik, Dr Kalimullah Khan, Ali Mohammad Abu Tarab, Mian Saifullah Khan Paracha, Saeed Ahmed Hashmi, Rehmatullah Khan Kakar advocate, Habibullah Jalib, Sardar Raza Mohammad Bareech and Hameed Khan Achakzai.

Women, who remained in the field to contest on two reserved seats, include Mrs Roshan Khursheed Bharucha, Mrs Rehana Yahya Baloch, Ms Sabina Rauf, Ms Hafza Laique, Mrs Perveen Niaz, Mrs Rabia Achakzai, Prof Naela Qadri, Sayyeda Nagir Safavi Baloch and Mrs Shehla Asif.