Ballots to have distinct watermarks

ECP orders 250m watermarked ballots, tightens security, allocates symbols for 150 parties in prep for Feb 8 elections

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) tasked the Printing Corporation of Pakistan on Monday with producing 250 million watermarked ballot papers for the February 8 polls.

According to sources, the ECP sanctioned the printing of ballot papers for the upcoming general elections during its meeting.

Distinctive watermarks will adorn the ballot papers, which are set to be printed using three different machines. Rigorous security protocols have been ensured for the Printing Corporation premises during the ballot paper production.

The use of watermarked ballot papers was initiated in the country during the 2018 general elections, marking a significant milestone.

Three printing machines will be utilised for this task, such as the Security Printing Corporation, the Pakistan Postal Foundation, and the Printing Corporation of Pakistan sharing the workload.

Security is tightened, considering potential army deployment inside and outside printing facilities. The decision focuses on ensuring the integrity and security of the electoral process, with a detailed plan for secure transportation from printing machines to designated officials.

ECP assigns electoral symbols to 150 political parties for general elections

Meanwhile, the ECP allotted electoral symbols to around 150 political parties competing for seats in the upcoming general elections for both the National and provincial assemblies.

Read also: ECP fixes Jan 22 as last date for postal ballot

According to the list uploaded on ECP’s website, the PML-N received the ‘tiger’ symbol, the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, ‘arrow’; the Pakistan Peoples Party, ‘sword’; the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-Nazriati, ‘batsman’; the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, ‘eagle’; the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, ‘kite’; the JUI-F, ‘book’; JI. ‘scale’; Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians, ‘turban’; the BNP, ‘axe’; the ANP, ‘lantern’; Balochistan National Party Awami, ‘camel’; and the Balochistan Awami Party received the symbol ‘cow’.

Also, ECP spokesperson Syed Nadeem Haider affirmed the ECP’s preparations for the upcoming general elections 2024.

Talking to Pakistan Television News, he said that preparation for the elections of national and provincial assemblies across the country were completed.

He said the election symbols had been alotted and election officials, including returning officers, were fulfilling their responsibilities and added that the next phase was the commencement of the ballot paper printing.

Haider said that Election Commission Secretariat and Monitoring cells have been established at the provincial level to ensure transparency in the election process. Monitoring teams have been working to ensure compliance with the code of conduct in every constituency.

He urged the citizens to cast their votes on February 8 to strengthen the democratic process.