The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked contestants of presidential election to submit their nomination papers to presiding officers by Monday. The candidates can file their nomination papers with presiding officers in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta up to 12 noon on Monday. The scrutiny of the papers will be carried out on Wednesday, whilst the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers until Thursday next after which the final list will be made public on the same day. According to reports, Hyderabad resident Ghayoor Muhammad has taken a form for the presidential election. Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has summoned the meeting of parliament on September 4 at 10am for the election of new president of Pakistan. The speaker has summoned the session in exercise of powers conferred by Clause (b) of Rule 9 of the Presidential Election Rules, 1988. The president is elected by an electoral college comprising members of the Senate, National Assembly and four provincial assemblies. Voting is held through a secret ballot. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated Dr Arif Alvi as their candidate for the post of president while opposition parties have also agreed to field a joint candidate for the presidential poll. Published in Daily Times, August 26th 2018.