ISLAMABAD: A report released by Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) on Sunday stated that nearly 30 per cent candidates for National Assembly are not registered as taxpayers with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
According to the data published on a local media outlet, 5.806 candidates for the National Assembly were scrutinized by the FBR as mentioned on the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) website. However, a total of 5,473 candidates have filed nomination papers for the National Assembly seats, according to (ECP)
According to the FAFEN data, 88 candidates are dual nationals as per the FIA. Moreover, around 209 nominated candidates are defaulters of the total a total Rs3.901 billion to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL). Similarly, 1,195 candidates are defaulters of total Rs12.384 million to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL).
Furthermore, 115 candidates for 105 general seats, eight for women reserved seats and one for minority reserved seat acquired bank loans, which are either overdue or have been written off.
The scrutiny of nomination papers was completed by the Returning Officers for the contesting candidates in the upcoming elections.
ECP publicly released available information about candidates received from various sources, including the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), FBR, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The report further stated that 13 incidents of political and electoral violence were reported during the last month, which has taken the tally of such incidents to a total of 59 since April.
With the nomination process entering its final phase, political parties are finalising their candidates for the national and provincial assemblies’ constituencies.
Prior to the 2018 elections, a total of 18 political figures were observed switching parties, the formation of two political alliances and two instances of politically influential factions announcing their support for a specific party.
As many as 10 political leaders changed political affiliations in Punjab, five in Sindh and three in K-P.
The total number of candidates nominated for election to national and provincial assemblies stands at 21,482, registering an overall decline in comparison to the preceding general elections of 2013.
Out of the candidates contesting general elections for general seats in the National Assembly, nearly five per cent or 260 are women. These women filed their nomination papers for contesting on 157 (58%) out of 272 general NA seats. On the remaining 115 seats, only men are in the contest.
