PHOTO: AFP
According to an ECP spokesperson, they have urged K-P to ‘abolish a ‘result compiling system’ including a control room that will monitor and consolidate polling results.
“Compiling of results is the sole domain of electoral authorities”, adding, they plan to set up a control room at the provincial headquarters for the purpose.
The official further stated that the ECP Secretary had written a formal letter to K-P Chief Secretary K-P Amjad Ali Khan, asking him to ask the provincial government abstain from the move.
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The provincial government had asked the presiding officers send one copy of results from each polling station to the cell after polling closed.
‘Women victimised’
In a revealing letter to the ECP, Deputy Commissioner Nowshera, who is also the district returning officer (DRO) for the area, claimed that local elders in Union Council Balu have decided to bar women from casting their votes in the election.
Taking serious notice of the impending move, ECP spokesperson asked the chief secretary to look into the matter personally and ensure that women are, in no case, debarred from casting their votes.
Read: Local government elections in K-P will bring 'real change': Imran
He maintained that there were similar complaints from Hangu, but the DRO there had assured the commission that female voters will cast their votes without any hindrance.
Earlier, the ECP directed the provincial government and all DROs to monitor the voting situation closely and undo any such move whether written or verbal, the speeches, announcements or other move aimed at creating sense of deprivation among women and discouraging them from their fundamental right.
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