ISLAMABAD, NOV 20, SPA -- Parliamentary elections in Pakistan will be held on January 8 next year, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Qazi Mohammad Farooq said. He told a news conference Tuesday that polling for the National Assembly (Lower House of Parliament) and four provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and North West Frontier Province (NWFEP) would be held the same day. More than 80 million voters would exercise their right of franchise. Intending candidates will be issued nomination papers from Wednesday (Nov 21) by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that they can submit to the designated election officers of their areas till Nov 26. Transparent ballot boxes will be used in the elections, Farooq said and appealed to women voters to cast their votes freely. He warned that action would be taken against political parties, groups and individuals, who would hinder the women voters from casting their votes. Our first and foremost priority is to hold free and fair elections, Farooq said adding that the ECP would welcome any number of foreign observers.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/501587