Election Commission of Pakistan has announced to hold by-elections on five vacant seats of National Assembly on February 20.

According to a notification issued here Friday, the nomination papers for contesting by-elections in NA-9 Mardan-I, NA-140 Kasur-III, NA-148 Multan-I, NA-149 Multan-II, NA-195 Rahim Yar Khan-IV could be filed with the respective Returning Officers on January 19-20, 2012.

The respective Returning Officers have been assigned to complete the scrutiny of nomination papers on Jan 23-24. The last date for filing of appeals against decisions of the Returning Officers regarding acceptance or rejection of nomination papers, has been fixed for January 26.

Likewise, February 1st has been fixed as last date for deciding appeals by the Tribunals. The contestants could withdraw their candidature by February 2nd and revised list of candidates would be published on February 3rd and polling would be held on February 20.