ECP issues appointment of DCs as DROs
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) notified the Deputy Commissioners as District Returning Officers (DROs) in the K-P's second phase of local body elections of 18 districts.
According to the ECP notification issued on Saturday, the 18 districts of K-P where LB elections would be held in March have appointed 253 Returning Officers (ROs) and 318 Assistant Returning Officers (AROs).
The second phase of the local body elections in 18 districts of K-P including 7 districts of Hazara division where district Abbottabad, Mansehra, Torghar, Battagram, Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and district Kolai Palis the LB elections would be held on 27 March.
Read ECP scrutiny committee finds irregularities in PTI records
After the announcement of the LB elections schedule, political parties and independent candidates have started their campaign with door-to-door meetings public gatherings. Candidates have also started meeting people and attending funeral processions, marriages and other public gatherings to convince their voters.
Interestingly, for the upcoming LB elections mostly young candidates from all political parties and independents are expected as during the first phase of elections in district Haripur, the three winning Tehsil Chairmen were quite young.
Additionally, the ECP has also delegated magisterial powers to the ROs, besides imposing a ban on the transfers and postings of officials during local body elections in the districts to ensure peaceful and transparent elections.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2022.