Reaching out: ECP plans voting arrangements for IDPs

PESHAWAR:

Following the Peshawar High Court’s orders to allow internally displaced persons (IDPs) to cast vote, the Provincial Election Commission has devised a plan for those living inside camps to take part in the elections. 

“In making arrangements for IDPs to vote, we have two cases; one is of those living inside camps and the other is of those living outside,” said Provincial Election Commissioner Sono Khan Baloch.

Baloch explained that the system for the first type is being planned currently in which the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has been asked to give lists of people in camps to the commission.

“Most probably, polling stations will be set up where the food distribution points are established in IDP camps,” added Baloch.

There are about 17 distribution points for IDPs in camps and around 163,000 people live inside and outside camps, said PDMA spokesperson Adnan Khan.

He added that on the directives of the election commissioner, a list of all people residing in camps is being prepared.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2013.