Getting copies of papers: ECP urged to revise rates

Demanded the ECP to revise the amount of fee and ensure transparent scrutiny of nomination papers.

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is charging citizens Rs10 per page if they want to get copies of nomination papers filed by candidates for the upcoming election.

This amount is a hindrance for citizens trying to exercise their constitutional right to information.

Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA) has opposed the fee being charged.

IRADA Executive Director Aftab Alam, said the maximum charges for a photocopy in the market is not more than Rs2 per page but the ECP is charging Rs10 per page.



This will prevent citizens from raising objections on the nomination papers filed by the candidates and ultimately destroy the notion of public and social accountability in the process, he said.

He added that online access to documents will be meaningless for the majority of the public who do not have internet access.

Alam demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan to revise the amount of fee and ensure transparent scrutiny of nomination papers of candidates.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2013.