K-P meeting reviews election readiness
A presiding officer counts votes at a voting center after the session has ended in Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 30, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS
Political parties in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) are now required to secure a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their respective district deputy commissioners in order to hold public meetings as part of their election campaign. This measure aims to ensure timely provision of adequate security for these gatherings as part of preparations for the upcoming general elections.
The decision was reached during a review meeting held to ensure the smooth conduct of the forthcoming general elections, with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary, and Inspector General of Police, Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, jointly presiding over the meeting at the Civil Secretariat on Friday.
The gathering was attended by key officials, including the additional chief secretary for home and tribal affairs, the provincial election commissioner, local government secretary, education secretary, and security personnel. The focus was on preparations for the general elections scheduled for February next year.
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During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary for Home, Abid Majeed, provided a comprehensive briefing on the election preparations. The Chief Secretary directed commissioners and deputy commissioners to collaborate closely with district election commissioners in their respective regions to finalize preparations and ensure security arrangements for the polls are in place smoothly and on time.
The CS emphasized that the provincial government is fully committed to supporting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in conducting free, fair, and transparent elections, and all available resources will be utilized for this purpose.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2023.