ISLAMABAD: District returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs), after taking oath as per the Elections Act 2017 on December 19, will start receiving nomination papers from prospective candidates from December 20 (tomorrow).

As many as 144 DROs will get one-day training today (Tuesday), while 859 returning ROs completed their three-day training on Monday.

A security guard stands alongside the ECP sign board in Islamabad. — AFP/File

The ROs had received one-day training already before a PTI office-bearer and lawyer moved the Lahore High Court, leading to suspension of the notification of their appointment and as a consequence their training was also suspended on December 14.

However, the Supreme Court put aside the LHC order and directed the ECP to issue the election schedule, which resulted in the restoration of notification concerning DROs and ROs.

An ECP senior official explained that the provincial election commissioners (PECs) will administer oath to the DROs of their respective province and then the DROr will administer oath to each RO and assistant RO in the district.

Similarly, the RO will administer oath to each presiding officer under his jurisdiction and the presiding officer will administer oath to each member of polling staff under his jurisdiction before the commencement of poll, and the head of the law enforcement agency or an officer authorised by him in will administer oath to each official of that agency deputed in connection with an election duty.

In another development, the ECP said prospective candidates for reserved seats for women and minorities in the provincial legislatures and the National Assembly can get their nomination papers from their respective ROs and the district election commission at a cost.

However, nomination papers will have to be submitted to their respective ROS from December 20 to December 22. And all matters, including scrutiny, will also be conducted there.