'Administrative reshuffle': ECP to take cosmetic measures to deflect growing criticism

ECP says it will focus action towards planning, training, coordination and monitoring

ISLAMABAD: In an apparent move to placate its critics, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday announced that it will begin long due administrative realignment in the wake of the inquiry commission’s report pointing out various flaws in the May 2013 general elections.

But instead of instituting an extensive, tangible exercise to investigate issues or announcing punitive action against those responsible for mistakes in elections, the commission has proposed that it would allocate tasks to it officers in the next general elections.

“ECP will undergo an administrative reshuffle in which every officer will do a specific job rather than every officer performing every job. There is a need of specialisation in the organisation,” the media wing of the ECP said in a press release following a meeting of the commission.

Further, it failed to address the issue of alleged low quality magnetic ink which was at the heart of controversy when votes were sent for verification through the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

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The announcements come a day after an ECP spokesperson had ruled out resignation of any of their four members, as demanded by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan.

The inquiry commission formed to investigate alleged rigging in the May 2013 general elections, in its final report released last week, gave a clean chit to the incumbent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on concerted and organised rigging.

The ECP, however, noted that “considering the weaknesses and shortcomings as pointed out in the final report of the inquiry commission on general elections 2013 in respect of the ECP, a general outline of required administrative response was presented before the Election Commission in a discussion on July 27, 2015.”

According to the report, the ECP noted four areas where it requires positive action to avert and avoid recurrence of such deficiencies. These include planning, training, coordination and monitoring.

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Among the immediate measures outlined by the ECP, its Director General Elections Sher Afgan will start work as additional secretary --training, and prepare a foolproof training programme for the 2018 general elections.

Fida Muhammad will work as additional secretary -- administration, and look after the affairs of budget, administration and elections wings.

The ECP further said that a planning committee will prepare a work plan for the next general elections in terms of human and financial resources, in addition to finalising electoral reforms and a logistic plan.

It said a national coordination committee will meet every month in Islamabad and four provincial headquarters regularly to keep the commission updated.