Gearing up for elections: ECP to craft poll plan at two-day huddle

Preparation of electoral lists, formulation of election code of conduct will be discussed.

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is scheduled to begin a two-day meeting on Monday with its provincial authorities and other stakeholders to discuss key election related matters.

Issues including preparation of electoral lists, establishing permanent polling stations, formulation of election code of conduct and providing training to the polling staff will be thoroughly discussed in the meeting.

Provincial election commissioners have also been summoned to attend the meeting. The meeting will also be attended by the officials of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and Printing Corporation of Pakistan.

Provincial election commissioners will give detailed briefing on the overall law and order situation in sensitive areas during the elections, as well as their preparedness and coordination with the concerned government departments.

Moreover, the provincial commissioners will brief the attendees on the finances required for electoral activities and the likely challenges in the holding of free and fair elections.

“In light of the two-day briefing and outcome, a comprehensive election plan will be designed”, said an official of the ECP.

Sources in the ECP told The Express Tribune that issues related to the demarcation of constituencies and establishing new polling stations will also be discussed by the concerned stakeholders.

NADRA and Printing Corporation of Pakistan would also give detailed briefing to the ECP on their preparedness with regards to polling.

The two-day meeting will discuss issues related to lawmakers who have not filed declarations relating to dual nationality following the directives of Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The Supreme Court earlier had disqualified all lawmakers with dual nationalities from holding any public offices.

According to the Constitution, a person ceases to be a Pakistani national when he takes up another nationality along with his Pakistani citizenship, and is thus not allowed to contest elections for the parliament and the provincial assemblies.

Earlier, in its letter, the ECP warned that those who failed to submit the required affidavits on oath within a month would be considered as dual nationals, and action could be initiated against them.

The ECP had earlier made attempt to obtain affidavits through the speakers of the national and provincial assemblies and the chairman of the Senate, but it never succeeded due to indifference on part of the lawmakers.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2012.