Islamabad: Pakistan's political parties on August 5 began applying to the government for approval to contest national polls on October 10.

The Election Commission will determine whether the parties have met new electoral laws on party leaders and finances, before deciding whether they can contest the elections.

Under the laws all parties were required to hold fresh intra-party polls to elect party leaders by August 5, in order to qualify for registration to run in the national elections. They also must submit details of party finances.

The parties have to submit the results of their internal polls within 10 days of holding them.

PTI