The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday told political parties to submit applications for the allotment of symbols for the upcoming general elections until May 25. In a statement, the ECP directed political parties to submit applications along with applied-for symbols ranked in order of preference, history of symbols allocated, party head signature on the application and address of the party’s head office. According to the ECP, all applications will be ascertained in light of Section 215 of the Election Act, 2017. Incomplete applications through fax will not be entertained, the statement read. The commission also directed political parties which had submitted applications before the release of the statement to file fresh documents by the deadline. Meanwhile, the ECP has also started inaugurating training centres for DROs and ROs. Justice (r) Irshad Qaiser of the commission inaugurated a training centre in Peshawar. Emphasising that all necessary arrangements had been completed for the purpose, the official said reforms had been introduced in the Election Act, 2017, to ensure transparency in the electoral process. Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Raza will inaugurate training offices in Lahore on Wednesday [today]. Published in Daily Times, May 16th 2018.