ECP extends polling time until 6pm to ensure maximum turnout
ECP increases polling time by one hour, polling to be held from 8am to 6pm
June 29, 2018
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) extended on Friday the time for polling in the July 25 general election by an hour in order to ensure the maximum participation of voters, according to a statement by the commission.
As per the revised timings, polling will now be held from 8am to 6pm, for a total of 10 hours uninterrupted.
Sources said this is the first time the polling duration has been extended across the board in the country's electoral history.
Interestingly, the ECP rejected on Wednesday Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) request to extend polling time for the upcoming election.
The electoral body remarked that the polling time will be from 8am to 5pm, adding that it cannot be extended.
The polling time will be extended in a situation of extreme emergency on the day of the election, the ECP had noted.
On Tuesday, Imran Khan-led PTI had written a letter to secretary ECP requesting for an extension in the polling for elections.
The party feared that the hot weather will deter people from leaving their houses in the morning to cast their votes, therefore, ECP should extend the polling time.
Last day to withdraw nomination papers today
The deadline for candidates to submit their party tickets for those to withdraw their nomination papers ended at 4pm on Friday.
Today was the last day for candidates vying to contest the General Election 2018 to submit their party tickets and for those unwilling to take part in the poll contest to withdraw their nomination papers.
Moreover, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) stated today that it will announce the polling scheme and final list of candidates with electoral symbols tomorrow.
It is mandatory for the candidates to submit their party tickets in order to be allotted their electoral symbols. Those who fail to do so will be considered independent candidates.
The ECP stated that the final list of candidates will be displayed at the offices of the returning officers and district returning officers tomorrow.
Moreover, the electoral body asserted that candidates will have a total of 23 days to hold their campaigns, as all campaigning will seize on the night (midnight) of July 23.
The elections are scheduled to be held on July 25, 2018.
