Explanation

SC Timeline for Punjab Polls on May 14

The Supreme Court ruled on 4 April 2023 that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to postpone polls to the Punjab Assembly till Oct 8 was “unconstitutional” and fixed May 14 as the date for polls in the province.

The ECP had on March 22 announced that the elections in Punjab would be held on October 8. The date was earlier set on April 30, in consultation with the president.

The reserved verdict was issued by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan.

The last date for filing appeals against decision of the returning officer rejecting/accepting the nomination papers is April 10

The last date for deciding on appeals by the Appellate Tribunal is April 17

The revised list of candidates will be published on April 18

April 19 will be the last date for the withdrawal of candidature and publication of the revised list of candidates

Electoral symbols will be allotted to contesting candidates on April 20

The court directed the federal government to release election funds worth Rs21 billion to the ECP by April 10 for elections to the assemblies of Punjab and KP.