CEC DIRECTS TO MAINTAIN NEUTRALITY FOR CONDUCT OF ELECTION OF ZILA AND TEHSIL NAZIM
Lahore the 17th September, 2005.- The Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr. Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, while presiding over a high level meeting in the office of the Provincial Election Commissioner, Punjab, Lahore said that the neutrality and impartiality should be maintained by all quarters concerned for conduct of free, fair and transparent elections of Zila, Tehsil/Town Nazim and Special seats reserved for Women, Peasants and Workers, and Minority Communities in Zila Councils as well as Tehsil Councils. He directed the Provincial Government to ensure law and order situation at the polling stations which are being established for conduct of In-direct Local Government Elections on 06-10-2005 to avoid any un-toward incident. He emphasized that the neutrality and impartiality of the Government functionaries should be visible to achieve the goal of free, fair, impartial and meaningful elections for the slot of Zila Nazim and Tehsil Nazim. He said that number of polling stations will be lesser than the previous phases, hence there will be no difficulty to take strict security measures. The polling stations for these elections will be established at each Tehsil/Town Headquarters. The Chief Election Commissioner directed that every candidate should be protected and peaceful/tranquil atmosphere be provided to the voters to cast their votes in favour of their candidates. The Chief Election Commissioner took a notice of transfers published in a section of press in the Punjab Province and directed that the provisions of Section 179(A) regarding ban on postings/transfers after the announcement of election schedule should be complied with in letter and spirit.
2- The Chief Election Commissioner further said that any candidate, who found involved to bribe the voters in his favour or kidnapping, hostaging and stopping any voter illegally to cast the vote shall stand disqualified. The Chief Election Commissioner warned the District Coordination Officer, Kasur to be neutral and impartial during the conduct of 3rd Phase of In–direct Local Government Elections-2005. The CEC also took a serious notice of non-compliance by the District Police Officer, Gujrat and directed the Inspector General of Police Punjab to obtain a report from him immediately.
3- The Chief Secretary, Punjab established that the Government of the Punjab shall extend its full cooperation to the Election Commission and comply with all the instructions of the Chief Election Commissioner issued for conduct of fair and meaningful election of Zila and Tehsil Nazims in the province.
4- Earlier Mr. Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Secretary, Election Commission briefed about the preparation which are required to be made at the part of Election Commission for conduct of In-direct Local Government Elections Phase-III scheduled to be held on 06-10-2005.
5- The meeting was also attended by Mr. Justice Nasim Sikandar, Judge, Lahore High Court, Lahore/Member, Election Commission, Inspector General of Police, Punjab, Lahore, Secretary, LG&RD Department, Govt. of the Punjab, Secretary Home Department, Govt. of the Punjab, Provincial Election Commissioner, Punjab, District & Sessions Judge, Lahore and Assistant Election Commissioner (Elections) Punjab, Lahore.