Fugitive candidates bound to appear before ROs for nomination papers scrutiny

• ROs will carry out scrutiny of papers according to ECP’s rules.
• Candidates can withdraw their papers by January 12, 2024.
• Their signatures on original form can also be challenged.

ISLAMABAD: Nomination papers of such candidates who are in hiding or declared proclaimed offenders are at risk of being rejected if they do not turn up before their relevant returning officers (ROs) upon summoning during scrutiny till December 30, The News reported on Sunday.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) sources relayed that the scrutiny of the nomination papers for the 2024 general elections would be done by the ROs in accordance with the electoral authority’s rules, regulations and guiding pattern.

The scrutiny begins today and it will last till Saturday (December 30). As per the ECP, appeals against acceptance or rejection of nomination papers can be filed by January 3, 2024, which will be decided by January 10, 2024. 

The Election Commission will publish the revised list of candidates on January 11, 2024, while candidates can withdraw their papers by January 12, 2024.

The sources said nomination papers of multiple Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidates involved in the May 9 incidents — which were triggered by the arrest of then-party chairman Imran Khan in a graft case — would be challenged during the scrutiny process by their rivals. 

Their signatures on the original form could also be challenged, as the candidates had been declared proclaimed offenders and had been hiding since May 9.

The ROs are bound to summon the candidate to verify their signatures and question them regarding their nomination papers.

The sources pointed out that in case the candidates appear before the RO, they would be picked by the law enforcement agencies (LEA), which are after them.

The counsel for the candidate could also appear on behalf of the candidate, but if the RO orders for the candidate’s personal appearance, he would be bound to appear in person.

He will have to answer queries made by the opponents and the RO.

Sources said that in case a candidate fails to appear personally before the RO, his nomination papers would be rejected. The RO’s authority could not be challenged.

The party affiliation of such a candidate would also be challenged by the opponent candidate or his counsel. The major parties have provided guidance in the matter.

Sources also said the candidate who would face rejection of their nomination papers would approach the appellate tribunal, which would start listening to appeals from January 3, 2024, and dispose of all such appeals by January 10, 2024. 

Sources said PTI’s founder, Imran Khan, who was ineligible to contest polls due to his conviction, had also filed his nomination papers. However, his nomination was bound to be rejected by the RO.