The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Balochistan, has issued the long-awaited schedule for local government elections in Quetta, setting December 28 as the polling date.

According to the schedule, nomination papers will be issued on November 11, while candidates may submit their papers from November 13 to 17.

The Returning Officers will release the initial list of candidates on November 18, followed by the scrutiny of nomination papers from November 19 to 24.

Appeals against the Returning Officers’ decisions can be filed on November 28, with the Election Tribunal expected to decide the appeals by December 3.

The final list of candidates will be published on December 4, while withdrawal of nomination papers will be allowed until December 5.

Election symbols will be allotted on December 6, and polling will take place on December 28.

The ECP said the schedule was issued in compliance with court directives, despite a provincial government request to postpone the elections due to security concerns.

Over 800,000 voters are registered in Quetta for the upcoming local body polls, which have been pending for several years.