Balochistan’s election readiness reviewed

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja has underlined the vital importance of deploying all available resources to ensure fair and peaceful conduct during the upcoming elections. Stressing that conducting impartial and transparent elections is a significant national responsibility, he urged the caretaker government to take an active role, with full support from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The CEC emphasized the need for a diligent and error-free election process and warned against any negligence in this regard.

The CEC chaired a meeting at the Quetta Secretariat to evaluate the preparations for the forthcoming general elections. In attendance were the secretary of the Election Commission, along with four members of the commission and the provincial election commissioner for Balochistan.

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During the meeting, the CEC underscored the necessity of appointing staff without political affiliations for the polling process and stressed that officer transfers should be based solely on merit, free from political influence. The provincial election commissioner for Balochistan briefed the attendees on the state of readiness for the upcoming general elections.

The meeting revealed that a total of 52,845,94 voters have been registered for the 16 general seats of the National Assembly and 51 seats of the provincial assembly. To accommodate this substantial voter population, 5,067 polling stations are set to be established across the province, with 2,038 considered highly sensitive and 2,068 labeled as sensitive polling stations.

The CEC directed district election commissioners to inspect all proposed polling stations within their respective districts ahead of the elections. Additionally, a 100% transfer-posting system will be implemented within the provincial bureaucracy to ensure fairness and transparency.

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The Inspector General of Balochistan informed attendees that the Quick Response Force would remain on high alert to address any untoward incidents during the elections. Furthermore, the Balochistan police have formulated a comprehensive security plan, including the establishment of a centralized control room to maintain peace throughout the election process.

Just a day earlier, Sikandar Sultan Raja had directed the provincial election commission and relevant Sindh government officials to devise a specialized plan for the voting process in flood-affected areas of the province. During a high-level meeting held at the Sindh Secretariat, the CEC announced that the ECP would seek the support of the army and paramilitary Rangers to ensure the elections’ fairness and transparency.

He stressed the need to utilize all available resources for peaceful and impartial elections, with strict action promised against any officials or staff found negligent in their election duties.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2023.