The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced that the nomination papers for the presidential election will be available from today (Tuesday).

The candidates can submit their nomination papers till March 2, while the ECP will announce the schedule and public notice for the election on March 1.

According to ECP, the NA session is to be convened within 21 days from the day of holding the general elections under Article 91(2) of the Constitution.

It went on to add that Article 41(4) states that the election for the president should be held from the day of holding the general election.

Read: When will PM and president be elected?

ECP stated that the Electoral College will be completed after the formation of all assemblies on February 29.

While the PTI and PML-N have not disclosed their candidates for the head of the state post, PPP has named former president Asif Ali Zardari as the party’s candidate for the top post.

Election of President

The election of the president is a far more expansive process than the PM and involves a bigger electoral college.

One half of the current Senate is set to complete their tenure on March 11. The election for their replacements will take place close to that and a schedule is likely to be announced as soon as new assembly members take oath.

The president has to be elected by the members of all five assemblies and the Senate.