Briefing by Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad to SHEILA JACKSON LEE, Member U.S. House of Representatives.
Islamabad, February 17, 2008.- A Delegation headed by Ms. SHEILA JACKSON LEE, Member U.S. House of Representatives called on Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan and discussed matters relating to the conduct of General Election ,2008 here in his office. Mr. PETER Bodde DCM Deputy Chief of Mission, was also present.
Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan Kanwar Mohammad Dilshad briefed the delegation regarding the arrangements made by Election Commission of Pakistan. He said that, Election Commission of Pakistan has made all necessary arrangements for Free and Fair Conduct of General Elections due to be held tomorrow i.e. 18th Feb: 2008. The Election Campaign for the February 18th polls have come to an end this midnight. The entire team of the Election Commission and the field Officers have completed all the tasks in time under the Leadership and Guidance of Honorable Chief Election Commissioner, Justice (Retd.) Qazi Muhammad Farooq. I am extremely Grateful to Almighty Allah for enabling us to fulfill this task and pray that every thing goes well.
Secretary ECP said, It is primary responsibility of Election Commission of Pakistan to conduct the free, fair and Transparent Elections and to keep the Sacredness of the Electoral Results during all its phases. By will of Allah the Election Commission shall fulfill this responsibility in all circumstances. Now the last phase of Elections has reached and we have left no stone unturned for participation of all eligible voters in a peaceful manner.
He said, In order to receive and rectify the complaints in different phases of Elections; Complaint Cells have been established in the ECP Secretariat Islamabad and Four Provincial Election Commission’s offices. The complaints based on reality were immediately addressed.
Details of Polling Stations established throughout the country have been placed on the ECP Website to remove any doubts.
He told that, Honorable CEC has instructed all the Presiding Officers to give the copies of the results of the Count and the Ballot Paper Account at the end of the polling to the polling agents and all those who were present at the Polling Stations so that there remains no doubt about the transparency of elections.
For the first time the transparent Ballot Boxes and Voting Screens are being used
Voters can check their names and Serial Numbers on the Website of ECP.
He said, On behalf of Hon CEC of Pakistan I would like to ensure you that anybody who tried to influence the impartiality of elections and tried to manipulate the results; he will be taken to task as per the law.
Hon’ble CEC has also clarified to the candidates that anybody who tried to stop the women from casting the votes, strict action will be taken against those persons. I am hopeful that women alongwith the men shall also participate in the electoral process and shall caste their vote to become the part of strong democracy.
He said, National and Provincial Assembly Elections are being conducted on February 18th 2008.The polling shall commence at 8 AM and shall continue till 5 PM without any break and polling for the National and Provincial Assemblies shall be held on the same day same time.
Hon’ble CEC has repeatedly instructed the Provincial Governments to make fool proof security arrangements during the polling to avoid any unforeseen incident.
ECP has established total of 64 hundred and176 polling stations and one lac 70 thousand and 174 polling booths and the total registered voters are 80 Million 910 thousand and 318. Total of 5 lac 71 thousand and 954 polling staff shall perform their duties on the polling day.
The procedure for the preparation of polling results is that the Presiding Officers at the end of the polling shall compile the results and shall handover one copy to the polling agents and the second shall be displayed outside the polling station for the information of general public.
Returning Officer on receiving the results from all the Presiding Officers shall compile the results in a prescribed form and forward the compiled constituency results to the ECP. The ECP after verification from the constituency shall inform the media about the result.
Ms. SHEILA JACKSON LEE, Member U.S. House of Representatives, appreciated the efforts and arrangements made by the Election Commission of Pakistan and said, Election Commission is doing very hard work and wished that democratic system will flourish as a result of fair elections. And she said as under:-
“I take great pride in recognizing and honouring all the citizen of Pakistan. I count it a joy to travel to Pakistan as we celebrate and honour this historic election taking place on February 18, 2008. Your hard work, courage and dedication to your country and the principles and spirit of democracy is truly worthy of the respect, admiration and commendation of the United State Congress. As Pakistan marches on towards democracy the United State Congress is proud to stand as your partner and ally.”