Islamabad, Jan 13 (IANS) Four members from the minority community will join the Senate for the first time when polls for Pakistan’s upper house take place March 2.

The Election Commission of Pakistan Thursday announced the schedule for holding Senate elections.

The dates for filing of nomination papers have been set as Feb 13 and 14, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.

The date for withdrawal of candidature has been set for Feb 24.

Polling would be held March 2 in the respective provincial assemblies. To elect four representatives form Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and two from Islamabad, polling would be held in the National Assembly.

Four minority members will join the Upper House for the first time in history. Polling would be held on 54 Senate seats following the addition of four minority seats as the 18th constitutional amendment provides for 104 Senate seats now against the previous 100.

The Senate is a permanent legislative body and the term of its members is six years.

However, one-half of its members retire after every three years.

Half the senators in the 100-member House are completing their stipulated tenure in March and will be replaced by others winning the upcoming election.