ISLAMABAD: Local representatives of the PML-N and PTI are seeking to get party tickets and 15 candidates have sent their nomination papers to contest the mayoral seat race.
The last day was Friday for the filing of nominating documents.
The election will take place on Dec 28, according to District Election Commissioner Naeem Ahmed.
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After the sudden resignation of PML-N’s Sheikh Anser Aziz, the seat fell vacant on Oct 1. In the 70-member Municipal Corporation of Islamabad, the party retains a lead as it currently has 45 members against 25 of the PTI.
Chaudhry Riffat Javed was endorsed by the party for the election against the vacated mayoral seat, but the PML-N received a setback when the election commission ruled that three deputy mayors, including Mr Javed, could not compete as they are no longer part of the electoral college despite being deputy mayors.
All three have now lodged a complaint in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Mr Javed filed his nomination paper in the expectation that the court would set aside the directive of the election commission.
Sardar Mahtab, Sajid Abbasi, Zaheer Shah, Wasim Sana Malik, Pir Adil Shah, Azhar Mahmood and Sajid Mahmood are the other local leaders of the PML-N who have sent their nomination papers. PTI aspirants include Sheeraz Kaini, Malik Amir, Khurram Bakhtiar, Ahmed Khan, and Malik Sajid Mohammad Rafiq.
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PML-N emerged as the ruling party in the local government elections held on Nov 30, 2015. Initially, of the 79 members of the company, 51 were members of the PML-N, compared to 28 of the PTI. Any members on both sides subsequently retired from their positions in order to contest other elections.
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