Ballot not bullet essential for Balochistan, says CEC

CEC says immediate measures are required to persuade the disgruntled segment of Balochistan to use the ballot.

QUETTA:
Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim has said that immediate measures are required to persuade the disgruntled segment of Balochistan to use ballot rather than bullet to seek a solution to their problems.        

“We have stepped forward towards the journey of fair, free and transparent elections by finalising the electoral list,” the CEC said while talking to the media during his visit to the provincial election commission office in Quetta on Wednesday.

Flanked by provincial election commissioner Abdul Jabbar Jamali, Deputy Director provincial election commission Wasim Ahmed and other senior officials, the CEC said that it is time to convince people to cast ballot and play their role for flourishing of democratic norms.

He noted that he found no flaws in the electoral list prepared by the provincial election commission office in Quetta. “However, we do not claim perfection and are ready to amend and bring betterment in the list already finalised, if we are directed to our mistakes,” he added.


He further expressed his satisfaction over the electoral roll of Balochistan finalised by the provincial office and sought assistance of political parties, civil society and the media to remove the possible errors.

“The media, civil society and political parties should come forward and assist us,” he said, adding that he is open to accept positive criticism to remove flaws in the country’s best interest.

He noted that even though the current electoral list has been finalised, they can correct, amend, and add votes if anyone is left.

Responding to a question, Ebrahim said that he equally respects all political parties and is determined to ensure free, fair and transparent polls. “Let’s be unanimous on the democratic process and play our due role towards a thriving and prosperous Pakistan,” he said, urging the residents of Balochistan to opt for the ballot as a means to address their grievances.

He lauded the endeavours of the Balochistan election commission staff who prepared the electoral list despite the challenging environment. He said that any person can verify his name along with his area in the voters list by texting his CNIC number to 8300.
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