(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-02 09:29

ISLAMABAD -- The Election Commission of Pakistan on Saturday formally notified the names of winning candidates in the national and provincial assemblies elections held on Feb. 18.

Addressing a press conference, the election commission secretary Kunwar Muhammad Dilshad said that 258 winning candidates in that National Assembly, 291 in Punjab Provincial Assembly, 122 in Sindh, 89 in NWFP and 48 in Balochistan had been notified.

He said the commission had accomplished its responsibility in the best possible manner and foreign observers and diplomats termed the polls free, fair and peaceful.

The official said the schedule of by-elections would be announced soon after sessions of newly elected national and provincial assemblies.

The process of women and minority seats allocation will take another two to three days, he added.

In connection with the joining of any party, he added, the independent candidates will have to submit applications endorsed by the party chief that the candidate intends to join.