ECP to avail army’s services for polls

List of final delimitation of constituencies to be issued on Nov 30

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday approved the code of conduct for the general elections scheduled for Feb 8 next year and decided to avail the services of Pakistan Army to ensure comprehensive security, allowing people to “freely exercise” their right to vote. It was said that the final list of delimitation of constituencies would be published on Nov 30 as the review of objections had been completed.

The polls supervisory body held an important meeting, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, to review the arrangements for the upcoming polls. The ECP members, its secretary, and Punjab election commissioner participated in the meeting whereas Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa election commissioners attended the session through video link.

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The participants of the meeting were told that additional final electoral rolls were currently in the process of printing at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), and their delivery would be guaranteed before the announcement of the election schedule. They were apprised that the ECP, following consultations with political parties, had approved the code of conduct as per legal requirements, and its official notification would be issued in the next few days.

The polls supervisory body was told that a training plan for the District Returning Officers (DROs), Returning Officers (ROs) and the polling staff had also been prepared to ensure their timely training. Similarly, necessary arrangements for the printing of ballot papers had been finalised and the procurement of election material had concluded.

 The ECP expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made so far for the upcoming elections, ordering that a complete mechanism be devised for the delivery of electoral rolls to the ROs. The meeting resolved to prepare comprehensive plans within a week for the deployment of law enforcement personnel, and request the provincial governments to ensure peace and order during elections. It noted that in the absence of a sufficient police force, it was crucial to make timely alternative arrangements and enlist the assistance of Pakistan Army during general elections.

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“This step will ensure comprehensive security, allowing people to freely exercise their right to vote,” it added. It was said that the final list of delimitation of constituencies would be published on Nov 30 as the review of objections had been completed. The ECP also sought lists of officials from the federal and provincial governments for the polling staff during the elections.

Separately, caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi on Thursday said the caretaker government was committed to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections and would provide all possible facilities to the ECP for conducting elections.

He made these remarks during a meeting with the delegation of Islamabad Policy Research Institute.