PESHAWAR (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially released the schedule for the by-election in NA-1 Chitral Upper-cum-Chitral Lower, following the disqualification of Member of National Assembly Abdul Latif under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution.
According to the ECP notification, Abdul Latif’s disqualification was initially announced on July 29 and became final after the Peshawar High Court vacated interim relief through its ruling on October 1.
Invoking its constitutional authority under Articles 224(4) and 254, the ECP has called upon the electorate of NA-1 to choose a new representative for the vacant seat.
Key Dates in the Election Schedule:
- October 13: Public notice issued by the Returning Officer
- October 15–17: Submission of nomination papers
- October 18: Publication of nominated candidates
- October 22: Scrutiny of nomination papers
- October 27: Deadline for filing appeals against RO decisions
- November 3: Final decisions by Appellate Tribunal
- November 4: Publication of revised candidate list
- November 5: Last date for withdrawal and final list publication
- November 6: Allotment of election symbols
- November 23 (Sunday): Polling day
The ECP also announced key appointments for the by-election: Ijaz Ahmed, Regional Election Commissioner Malakand, will serve as District Returning Officer (DRO), while Muhammad Iqbal, District Election Commissioner Chitral, will act as Returning Officer (RO) for NA-1.
Copies of the notification have been dispatched to relevant federal and provincial authorities, including the Secretaries to the President and Prime Minister, the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Inspector General of Police, KP, for necessary action.
