Making preparations: ECP gets itself ready if polls are called early
January 2 meeting to discuss key administrative, security issues vis-à-vis polls.
January 2 meeting to discuss key administrative, security issues vis-à-vis polls. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is preparing to hold the next parliamentary polls before the scheduled time in case the national and provincial assemblies are dissolved earlier, an official letter of the ECP to all stakeholders said on Monday.
An important meeting convened by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on January 2, 2013 will take decisions pertaining to the administrative and security issues for the next general elections.
The letter written to all those concerned in the federal and provincial governments revealed that “the parliament will be completing its term on March 16, 2013, after which the elections for the National Assembly and provincial assemblies will be held within 60 days. However, if Parliament and provincial assemblies are dissolved earlier, the elections will be held within 90 days,” the letter read.
“In view of this constitutional position, it is important that all necessary administrative and security arrangements are completed well in time to ensure the holding of fair, credible, and peaceful elections in the country so that a smooth transition of power can take place as envisaged in the Constitution and as is the desire of the nation,” the letter said.
The letter further said that a large number of international observers are also expected to visit Pakistan to observe the general elections. The ministry of foreign affairs and ministry of interior in collaboration with the ministry of information will ensure that international observers are facilitated and taken care of properly. The ministry of interior is expected to be responsible for the provision of security to the international observers during their visit to various parts of the country.
“The forthcoming general elections are of great significance not only for democracy and a peaceful transition of power but for the future of the country. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all executive authorities in the federation as well as in the provinces to fulfil their obligations towards the country and assist the commission in discharge of its constitutional responsibility to hold fair, transparent and peaceful polls next year. The country is going through a critical phase and we all have to rise to the occasion to serve our best national interests setting aside all other considerations.” Any negligence on the part of anyone would not be forgiven by the nation, the letter emphasised.
Keeping in view the fragile law and order situation in the country, some 80,000 polling stations throughout the country with an approximate 600,000 -strong polling staff would be assisted by the Pakistan Army, provincial police, the paramilitary forces (Frontier Corps, Rangers) and the Balochistan and Frontier constabularies to ensure peaceful polling.
‘There are certain sensitive areas where the army will be responsible for making the security arrangements, while in other areas the army will be acting in aid of the civil authorities in accordance with the security plans prepared by the respective DPOs who will primarily be responsible to ensure law and order at all the polling stations under their jurisdictions. In case of violation of the ECP’s directives or negligence in duty on part of any official specified in the security plan, immediate disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against the authorities, starting with the person’s suspension from service and later the proceedings will be completed at the earliest under the intimation to the ECP.
For security, it is also proposed that there should be a district election security committee comprising the respective district returning officer, deputy commissioner, political agents and the district police officer. The committee will review the law and order situation and dispose of the complaints. The committee will also ensure the ban on display of weapons at the polling stations.
The letter revealed that the political parties have demanded that army personnel should not only be deployed at each polling station in Karachi but one army man should also be deployed inside the polling station as well to ensure that the voters may cast their vote without fear.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2012.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is preparing to hold the next parliamentary polls before the scheduled time in case the national and provincial assemblies are dissolved earlier, an official letter of the ECP to all stakeholders said on Monday.
An important meeting convened by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on January 2, 2013 will take decisions pertaining to the administrative and security issues for the next general elections.
The letter written to all those concerned in the federal and provincial governments revealed that “the parliament will be completing its term on March 16, 2013, after which the elections for the National Assembly and provincial assemblies will be held within 60 days. However, if Parliament and provincial assemblies are dissolved earlier, the elections will be held within 90 days,” the letter read.
“In view of this constitutional position, it is important that all necessary administrative and security arrangements are completed well in time to ensure the holding of fair, credible, and peaceful elections in the country so that a smooth transition of power can take place as envisaged in the Constitution and as is the desire of the nation,” the letter said.
The letter further said that a large number of international observers are also expected to visit Pakistan to observe the general elections. The ministry of foreign affairs and ministry of interior in collaboration with the ministry of information will ensure that international observers are facilitated and taken care of properly. The ministry of interior is expected to be responsible for the provision of security to the international observers during their visit to various parts of the country.
“The forthcoming general elections are of great significance not only for democracy and a peaceful transition of power but for the future of the country. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all executive authorities in the federation as well as in the provinces to fulfil their obligations towards the country and assist the commission in discharge of its constitutional responsibility to hold fair, transparent and peaceful polls next year. The country is going through a critical phase and we all have to rise to the occasion to serve our best national interests setting aside all other considerations.” Any negligence on the part of anyone would not be forgiven by the nation, the letter emphasised.
Keeping in view the fragile law and order situation in the country, some 80,000 polling stations throughout the country with an approximate 600,000 -strong polling staff would be assisted by the Pakistan Army, provincial police, the paramilitary forces (Frontier Corps, Rangers) and the Balochistan and Frontier constabularies to ensure peaceful polling.
‘There are certain sensitive areas where the army will be responsible for making the security arrangements, while in other areas the army will be acting in aid of the civil authorities in accordance with the security plans prepared by the respective DPOs who will primarily be responsible to ensure law and order at all the polling stations under their jurisdictions. In case of violation of the ECP’s directives or negligence in duty on part of any official specified in the security plan, immediate disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against the authorities, starting with the person’s suspension from service and later the proceedings will be completed at the earliest under the intimation to the ECP.
For security, it is also proposed that there should be a district election security committee comprising the respective district returning officer, deputy commissioner, political agents and the district police officer. The committee will review the law and order situation and dispose of the complaints. The committee will also ensure the ban on display of weapons at the polling stations.
The letter revealed that the political parties have demanded that army personnel should not only be deployed at each polling station in Karachi but one army man should also be deployed inside the polling station as well to ensure that the voters may cast their vote without fear.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2012.