ISLAMABAD: In compliance with a prior order from the Supreme Court (SC), the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) released the election schedule for the upcoming general polls on February 8.

The electoral watchdog’s notification outlined that the Returning Officer (RO) would issue a public notice on December 19, marking the period for filing nominations from December 20 to December 22. The ECP specified that the names of nominated candidates would be published on December 23, with the final date for scrutiny of their nomination papers set for December 24-30.

This development followed the SC’s directive to the ECP to announce the election schedule promptly, responding to the suspension of a Lahore High Court (LHC) order regarding the appointment of returning officers (ROs) and district returning officers (DROs) from the bureaucracy.

The uncertainty stemming from this LHC decision raised concerns about the feasibility of conducting the general polls. Additionally, the Supreme Court issued a contempt of court notice to Barrister Umair Niazi, who, on behalf of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), had filed the petition. The notice demands an explanation as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.