ISLAMABAD: The Elec­tion Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has refused to postpone the by-election on a Senate seat from Baloch­istan and decided to hold it on Jan 14 as per the previously announced schedule.

Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Quddus Bizenjo had requested the ECP to postpone the by-election on the seat which had fallen vacant after the death of PML-N Senator Kalsoom Parveen. Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani had ratified Mr Bizenjo’s request.

The ECP decision came on the last date for filing of nomination papers.

January 1 is the last date for scrutiny of nomination papers while the appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers by the returning officer are to be disposed of by January 6.

The final list of contesting candidates will be issued the following day, while January 8 will be the last date for withdrawal of candidature.

The ECP had announced the schedule on Dec 24.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2020