The seat had fallen vacant after the resignation of disgruntled PTI leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi.
ECP, which has come under fire for its policies of turning towards the judiciary for appointing election supervisors during the May 2013 general elections, has appointed regional election commissioner Multan as the district returning officer and district election commissioner as the returning officer.
Assistant commissioner Multan, district education officer and election officer Multan will work under the DRO and RO as assistant returning officers for the constituency, an official notification said.
It is for the first time in years that ECP has appointed non-judicial officers as DRO and RO.
For the past many years judicial officers of lower judiciary have been appointed as returning officer while district and session judges were serving as DRO. Questions were raised over the role of these judicial officers in the alleged rigging during last year’s general elections.
ECP has also formally issued by-polls schedule for NA-149. Earlier it had issued a proposed schedule on Monday which was notified as formal schedule on Tuesday.
The newly appointed RO will issue Public notice for polls in the constituency on Wednesday. Under the schedule intending candidates can file nomination papers on September 22 and 23. The RO will scrutinize the nomination papers on September 24th and 25th.
Appeals against the decisions of RO can be filed by September 27. Final list of candidates will be displayed on October 1, 2014.
Re-polling at 33 polling stations in PP-97 Gujranwala
Following the election tribunal’s decision, ECP has ordered re-poll in 33 polling stations of a Punjab Assembly constituency PP-97 Gujranwala.
ECP has issued a notification in this regard and asked the DRO to prepare fresh polling schedule for the 33 polling stations mentioned by tribunal’s order. Chaudhry Ashraf Warraich of PML-N was declared winner in the May 11, 2013 general elections from the constituency.
The tribunal declared his election void till fresh poll in 33 polling stations where it found large scale anomalies.
COMMENTS (10)
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It will be better if the ECP decides to switch over to Electronic Voting Machines as most of the complaints will be eradicated and also adopt the system adopted by EC of India i.e. issue voting I cards for all eligible voters and also print the photo of the voter on the voter list, only then free and fair elections will be possible.
Under current Chief Election Commission of Punjab, PTI and those parties questioned ECP should boycott all re elections in Punjab.
Look one man with determination can do. IK Zinda Bad.
Quite sure that these polls will be ensured to be rigging free.
Also sure that PTI will accept whatever the outcome of this election is.
The main question is who is supporting Javed sb and who will bring their candidate to face him, in his constituency
@Z
Get a life dear
The real mastermind behind every rigged election since 2002 is Mr. Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan of ECP. This guy has been lingering on with ecp for quite a while and manipulates entire ecp machinery to rig elections. When will there be justice in my country? Who will do justice? Will courts ever be free? Will police ever be honest and unbiased?
Cry baby IK will find a reason to complain even if the army is posted inside and outside the polling stations. Nevertheless, ECP should strive/ ensure fair polling. Incase they feel incapable to do the same, the existing members should retire and make way for young blood.
I wonder if at one polling station there is no polling agent of a contesting candidate then his/her votes can be easily spoiled. What measures EC could take to stop such irregularities? I think there is no solution except biometric electronic voting.
For each polling stations separate ballot papers should be printed with specific serial numbers for each polling station, so that no extra or fake vote could be casted and no votes could be mixed.
Gullu Butt will make a perfect RO!