PPP demands more of time for filing objections

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) urged the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Thursday to extend the deadline for filing “objections and suggestions” on the initial lists of polling stations.

In a letter addressed to the CEC, Senator Taj Haider, in-charge of PPP Central Election Cell, said that the final lists of polling stations had to be published in the official Gazette and on the website of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) at least 30 days before the polling day.

However, the senator added, only 15 days had been given for this purpose and that very little time had been given for hearing and considering any objections or suggestions filed by the public.

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He said that a press release issued by the ECP on January 6, invited hearing and considering objections or suggestions on the initial polling stations lists, it was expected that many objections or suggestions would be received after publishing the final lists.

He also said that due to “very exceptional circumstances”, such as overloading of work by the election tribunals due to poor performance of DROs and ROs on stage of scrutiny of nomination papers, an extension of time was needed.

He requested the CEC to instruct all DROs and ROs to expedite their process of alterations, since “very exceptional circumstances” already existed. He also asked for an extension of last date for filing objections and suggestions.