ECP announces date for Presidential election in Pakistan

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced on Tuesday that presidential elections would take place on August 6th. According to the ECP, a proposed schedule of the presidential poll was sent to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Jutice Retired Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, who gave final approval. The ECP has scheduled that nominations paper would be submitted on July 24 and the scrutiny of the forms would be finalized on July 26 whereas the last day to withdraw candidacy would be July 29. The presidential election would take place on August 6 and the ECP would announce the results on August 7. The tenure of the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari is expiring on September 9 and a presidential election schedule needs to be issued 30 days prior. The presidential spokesman, Farhatullah Babar, said the President would not resign before the end of his tenure nor would he contest for a second term of presidency. According to ECP the CEC would be the presiding officer of the presidential polls. An ECP member, Justice retired Riaz Kayani said it was a requirement under Article 41 (4) of the constitution to hold presidential elections by August 8. Article 41 (4) states: "Election to the office of President shall be held not earlier than 60 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of the President in office."