ECP grants Punjab caretakers to reshuffle bureaucracy

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has given permission for appointments and transfers to the caretaker government of Punjab.

In a letter issued by the commission to the chief secretary of Punjab, the permission was also given to give leave to the officers and employees.

The caretaker government will allow the transfer posting of Grade 19 and subordinate officers of the Secretariat Group.

The commission also allowed the government to appoint and transfer Grade 17 and subordinate officers and employees and asked it to send the details of the appointment and transfer orders to the commission.

Appointment and transfer of Grade 20, 21 and 22 officers and police will be approved by the Election Commission.

Meanwhile, an important meeting regarding the preparations for the elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has been postponed.

According to Election Commission sources, the date of the meeting has been changed on the request of the chief secretary and inspector general of K-P.

The Election Commission has invited both of them in a special meeting, which will be chaired by the chief election commissioner (CEC) on Friday.

The security situation and arrangements of K-P will be reviewed in the meeting.

Furthermore, regarding the Punjab Assembly elections, the required security could not be provided to the provincial election commissioner and returning officers.

According to Election Commission sources, the provincial election chief informed the Election Commission about the security situation.

He said that the required security was not provided to the ROs.

There is a lot of rush at the time of submission of nomination papers in the offices of the ROs and due to the crowd there is a tense situation there, he told the Election Commission.

He further told them that fights are going on between candidates and supporters, and if this situation continues, the election schedule in Lahore will have to be suspended.

According to the sources, it is likely that the Election Commission will take notice of the concerns of the provincial election commissioner.