ECP announces Senate polls for March 02

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Thursday announced schedule for holding Senate elections on March 02, 2012.
According to a notification, the ECP has set February 13 and 14, the dates for filing of nomination papers with the Returning Officers, between 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The scrutiny of nomination papers would be conducted on February 16 and 17.The candidates could file appeals by February 20 and 21 against the decision of the Returning Officers regarding acceptance and rejection of nomination papers. February 22 and 23 are the dates set for disposal of appeals.
The date for withdrawal of candidature has been set for February 24 while the lists of candidates would be published on February 24.
Polling would be held on March 2 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in the respective provincial assemblies.
To elect four representatives from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and two from Islamabad, the polling would be held in the National Assembly.
Four minority members will join the Upper House for the first time in history.
Polling would be held on 54 Senate seats following the addition of four minority seats as the 18th constitutional amendment provides for 104 Senate seats now against the previous 100.
The Senate is a permanent legislative body and term of its members is six years. However, one-half of its members retire after every three years.
A person seeking election to the Senate should be a not less than 30 years of age and a registered voter in an area or province from where he seeks election and should meet other qualifications prescribed under Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution.
Half of Senators in the 100 member House are completing their stipulated tenure in March who will be replaced by others winning the upcoming election. The polls will be held on seven general, two technocrat, two women and one non-Muslim seat from each province, four Fata, one general and one technocrat seat from Islamabad.