Finalised: Preparations for by-polls complete, says EC secretary

Army, Rangers to control law and order situation

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan Secretary Babur Yaqoob Fateh on Saturday said that all preparations for the upcoming by-elections have been completed.

Speaking to the media on Saturday the secretary ECP said the army and rangers will oversee the by-elections in three Punjab constituencies—NA-144, NA-12 and PP-147.

He further said that a code of conduct for the elections had been issued and added that the polls will be closely monitored. Fateh warned that action would be taken against those who fail to abide by the rules, adding that this could also lead to disqualification for candidates.

Anyone who fails to abide by the law will be held accountable under Article 204 of the Constitution, Fateh said.

He said security arrangements will be overseen by the army and Rangers.

The election commission has called a meeting of all returning officers on Monday to discuss the preparations for the by-elections. Local Government elections in Punjab and Sindh will also be discussed.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2015.