Audit flags 'unauthorised allowance' to ECP staff

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) faced audit objections regarding the "unauthorised payment" of a 20 per cent election allowance to its employees, calculated on their running basic pay, starting from March 1, 2013, according to the audit officials.

The issue came to limelight as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) subcommittee reviewed the 2013-14 audit objections of the election supervisor. The session was chaired by Shahida Akhtar Ali.

The audit officials noted that the allowance had neither been approved by the prime minister nor endorsed by the Finance Division's Regulation Wing. They added that the matter is currently under consideration in the Supreme Court.

The ECP officials, however, stated that the Peshawar High Court had ruled in their favour, maintaining that employees are receiving the 20 per cent allowance. They also noted that no stay order had been issued by the Supreme Court.

According to the ECP, employees are entitled to the allowance under the high court's judgment and the prime minister's summary.

The polls supervisory body emphasised that the 20 per cent allowance is a part of employees' salaries.

The audit officials recommended referring the matter to the Review and Implementation Committee, which should implement any decision made by the Supreme Court.

The ECP secretary, Omar Hamid, concluded that there is no irregularity in this matter.