DELEGATION FROM OGILVY PUBLIC RELATIONS WORLDWIDE, SAN FRANCISCO CA, USA MEETS SECRETARY ELECTION COMMISSION OF PAKISTAN
Islamabad, the 19th January, 2008.- Three Members’ Delegation from Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide comprising Mr. Michael A. Law, Managing Director, Mr. Paul M. Sherer, Senior Vice President and Mr. David Tamasi, Account Director of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, San Francisco CA, USA called on Kanwar Dilshad, Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan and discussed matters relating to the Conduct of General Elections, 2007-08.
2. The Secretary, Election Commission briefed the Delegation regarding history of previous elections and about the ongoing process of the Election Commission. The Delegation was given a detailed briefing about the polling process on the polling day and counting of votes after close of the poll, announcement of the result at the polling stations by the Presiding Officers and also by the Returning Officer after compilation of the result in the presence of party agent, candidates and the observers, who happened to be there and copies of the result will be displayed at conspicuous places at the polling stations as well as in the offices of Returning Officer for information of general public.
3. The Secretary, ECP further briefed the delegation that the International Observers as well as Domestic Observers will be free to move anywhere in Pakistan to witness the electoral process and they are being issued Accreditation Cards to facilitate their visit to the polling stations and the offices of the Returning Officers to observe compilation and counting process and they will be free to make their observations.
4. The Secretary, ECP further briefed the delegation that copies of the Computerized Electoral Rolls on DVD have been supplied to major political parties. The list of Polling Stations will be brought on ECP Website soon. The detailed result of each polling station too will be placed on website immediate after it is announced. The ECP is launching aggressive publicity campaign on electronic and print media for education of voters.
5. The Secretary, ECP further briefed the delegation that in order to strengthen the democratic electoral system, internationally known electoral commodities are being used for the first time, during the forthcoming General Elections. For this purpose, 4,30,300 (4-Lacs 30-thousands) Transparent Ballot boxes with plastic Seals and 3 hundred thousand Portable Voting Screens have been imported and supplied to the field offices for use, during the forthcoming General Elections.
6. The Secretary, ECP further briefed the delegation that Comprehensive Training has been imparted to 350 thousand Polling Officials under the supervision of International experts. Besides, Orientation Programmes have been conducted for the District Returning Officer and Returning Officers at the Provincial Headquarters under the Chairmanship of the Hon’ble chief Election Commissioner and the Learned Members of the Election Commission.
7. The Secretary, ECP further briefed the delegation that for the facility of District Returning Officers, Returning Officers, Presiding Officers, separate Manuals have been prepared in sufficient quantity for their guidance. For the first time a Manual for the guidance of 2 million polling agents to be appointed by the political parties and the independent candidates, have been prepared and supplied to all concerned. A Brief Manual for National and International Observers has also been published and is being supplied to the Observers for their guidance.
8. The Secretary, ECP further briefed the delegation that a Complaint Cell, headed by a Joint Secretary has been established at all the ECP Secretariat, Islamabad as well as in the offices of its Provincial Election Commissioners, headed by the Respective Provincial Election Commissioners to take immediate necessary action under the law, on the pre-election and post-election complaints as well as on the polling day so that the timely redressal of grievances could be ensured. International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has also provided the services of a Complaint Adjudication Advisor to co-ordinate with the Complaint Centers at the Central and Provincial Level.
9. The Secretary, ECP further briefed the delegation that the Polling Schemes has always been one of the important pre-requisites for Conduct of Elections, which has been finalized. The main features of the Polling Schemes are:
a) Establishment of Polling Stations and;
b) Appointment of Polling Personnel and their Training.
10. The Secretary, ECP further briefed the delegation that in all, 64, 176 Polling Stations with 1-lac 70-thousand 174 Polling Booths have been established all over the country. For the purpose, 5-lac 71-thousand 954 Polling Personnel have been appointed by the concerned Returning Officers.
11. The Secretary, ECP further briefed the delegation that the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission are committed to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in a peaceful atmosphere and that impartiality, objectivity and neutrality will be maintained.