Caretakers granted control over ongoing projects

ECP bars interim set-ups from influencing elections

ISLAMABAD:

In pursuance of its instructions, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday said that the caretaker governments shall not attempt to influence polls in the country, adding that they may take action or decisions regarding the bilateral or multilateral agreements already initiated under the intimation of the Commission.

The polls supervisory body also directed in-charges of all its wings and the provincial election commissioners to ensure “immediate completion” of all the arrangements regarding the holding of polls and the availability of necessary material in this regard.

In a statement on Monday, the ECP maintained that the interim set-ups would ensure the holding of “free and fair” elections in the country.

“The caretaker governments shall not attempt to influence the elections or do or cause to be done anything which may, in any manner, influence or adversely affect the free and fair elections,” the statement said.

It further said the interim governments may take decisions regarding the existing bilateral or multilateral agreements or projects already initiated under its knowledge.

“The caretaker governments being non-political entities can take actions or decisions regarding existing bilateral or multilateral agreements or projects already initiated under the Public Private Partnership Authority Act, 2017 (VIII of 2017), the Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions Act, 2022 (XXX of 2022) and the Privatization Commission Ordinance, 2000 (LII of 2000) under intimation to this Commission,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, a meeting under the chairmanship of ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan was held to review the arrangements for the upcoming general elections.

ECP special secretary, DG law, provincial election commissioners and other senior officers participated in the huddle.

The special secretary and the provincial election commissioners briefed Khan about the progress made on the arrangements made so far regarding the holding of upcoming polls.

Expressing satisfaction over the progress, the ECP secretary directed the heads of all election commission divisions and provincial election commissioners to finalise preparations, establish contacts with the departments concerned and ensure the availability of required election material.

It was further said that no negligence in this regard would be tolerated.

The ECP secretary directed the provincial election commissioners and the additional director general (election) Islamabad to confirm the timely receipt of constituency maps and essential data from provincial governments and the Statistics Department.

The election supervisor constituted a high-powered supervisory committee led by the special secretary to ensure the implementation of these measures.