The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has appointed four district returning officers, 27 returning offices, and 54 local returning officers ahead of polls in 27 Punjab Assembly (PA) seats in the Rawalpindi Division.
According to the official notification, the newly-appointed officials have assumed their duties.
The electoral body has said that the election officials — who have been selected from the bureaucracy — would be responsible for overseeing the electoral process in their respective districts to ensure fair polling.
Meanwhile, the district returning officers have issued a public notification to hold elections for the provincial assembly seats on April 30 as per the supreme court orders.
For these seats, a total of 46 nomination forms were received on the first day. However, the period of collecting nomination papers will begin on Sunday (today) and will continue till Tuesday.
As per the ECP notification, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema has been appointed as the returning officer for Rawalpindi district, Attock Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif for Attock district, Chakwal deputy commissioners for Chakwal and Talagang whereas deputy commissioner Samiullah Farooq has been appointed as District Returning Officer for Jhelum district.
The notification further stated that a returning officer and two assistant returning officers have been appointed for each provincial seat.
Apart from district returning officers, assistant commissioners will perform the duties of returning officers, and officers of the Ministry of Local Government and the Education Department will perform the duties of assistant returning officers.
The electoral body emphasised that the selection of officials was based on their experience and competence in administration.
ECP has also urged all political parties, candidates, and voters to cooperate with the appointed officials and abide by the rules and regulations of the electoral process.
It further appealed to all stakeholders to refrain from activities that could disrupt the electoral process or undermine the integrity of the elections.
On the other hand, the country’s premier intelligence agencies have warned the electoral body about security threats and challenges.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2023.
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