CANDIDATES FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 2008 MAY RETIRE FROM CONTEST ON ANY DAY NOT LATER THAN THREE DAYS BEFORE THE POLLING DAY.
------KANWAR MUHAMMAD DILSHAD
SECRETARY ELECTION COMMISSION
Islamabad, the 30th August, 2008.-Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Secretary Election Commission has informed that after Scrutiny, the Nomination Papers of only the following five Candidates for the Presidential Election,2008 were accepted by the Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner/ Returning Officer:
(1) Mr. Asif Ali Zardari
(2) Mrs. Faryal Talpur
(3) Mr. Mushahid Hussain Sayed
(4) Mr. Muhammad Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui
(5) Mr. Roedad Khan
2. He further informed stated that, as per Schedule for the Presidential Election, 2008, the 30th August, 2008 (upto 12:00 noon) was fixed for withdrawal of candidature by the Validly Nominated Candidates. As such, two candidates, namely, Mrs. Faryal Talpur and Mr. Roedad Khan withdrew their candidature within the specified time and date and as a result the following three candidates remain in the field to contest that Election:
(1) Mr. Asif Ali Zardari
(2) Mr. Mushahid Hussain Sayed
(3) Mr. Muhammad Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui
2. The Secretary Election Commission has also stated that as per Schedule, Polling is to be held on the 6th September, 2008. In this context, he has invited attention of the Validly Nominated Candidates for Election to the office of the President to Sub-Rule (3) of Rule (6) of the Presidential Election Rules, 1988, which provides that a Candidate may retire from contesting Election by a Notice in writing signed by him and delivered to the Returning Officer/Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan on any day not later than three days before the Polling Day either by himself in person or by an authorized agent appointed by the Candidate in writing in this behalf.