PDM to jointly contest by-elections: Ahsan Iqbal

PML-N secretary-general Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday said that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) would jointly contest by-elections.

Speaking to media in Lahore, Iqbal hoped that the PDM's member parties would offer "complete support" during by-elections on seats that were won by the PML-N.

"We have decided not to field a candidate in Sindh for by-elections on seats that were won by the PPP," he added.

Read more: ECP announces schedule of by-polls in 2 NA, 5 provincial assemblies' seats

A few days earlier, the leaders of the 11-party alliance had announced that parties that are a part of the PDM would take part in the by-polls, but a decision related to the Senate elections will be taken later.

The development comes only days before the by-polls are set to take place on two National Assembly and five provincial assemblies’ seats.

'Goal is transparent elections, not resignations'

Meanwhile, PML-N leader Khurram Dastagir, speaking to the media said that the party held a meeting today to discuss the upcoming by-elections.

"The resignations will be given after the Senate elections," he said, adding that they will be submitted at a time when the party considers the Parliament no longer functional.

Dastagir, clarifying the Opposition's stance, said that their aim was to hold transparent elections, not submit resignations.

However, he said that the Opposition would not back down from resigning. "These are the milestones to reach our goal and we will devise our strategy according to the situation at the time."

By-polls for Sindh Assembly’s PS-43 (Sanghar III) and PS-88 (Malir II) and Balochistan Assembly’s PB-20 (Pishin III) will be held on February 16, 2021, while the voters in NA-45 (Kurram I) and NA-75 (Sialkot IV) and Punjab Assembly’s PP-51 (Gujranwala I) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s PK-63 (Nowshera III) will elect their representatives on February 19, 2021.

Read more: Govt decides to hold Senate elections in February instead of March

Schedule for Sindh and Balochistan assemblies:

December 22: Public notice to be issued by the Returning Officer

December 23 to 28: Filing of nomination papers

December 29: Publication of names of nominated candidates

January 4, 2021: Last date for scrutiny of the nomination papers by RO

January 8, 2021: Last date for filing of appeals against RO decisions

January 14, 2021: Last date for deciding appeals by the Appellate Tribunal

January 15, 2021: Publication of revised list of candidates

January 16, 2021: Last date for withdrawal of candidature and publication of revised list of candidates

January 17, 2021: Allotment of election symbol

February 16, 2021: Polling day

Schedule for NA, Punjab and KP seats:

December 24: Public notice to be issued by the Returning Officer

December 25 to 20: Filing of nomination papers

December 31: Publication of names of nominated candidates

January 6, 2021: Last date for scrutiny of the nomination papers by RO

January 11, 2021: Last date for filing of appeals against RO decisions

January 18, 2021: Last date for deciding appeals by the Appellate Tribunal

January 19, 2021: Publication of revised list of candidates

January 20, 2021: Last date for withdrawal of candidature and publication of revised list of candidates

January 21, 2021: Allotment of election symbol

February 19, 2021: Polling day