ECP TAKES CONCRETE INITIATIVES TO ENSURE CREDIBLE AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS
Islamabad, the 8th November 2012.- “The Election Commission has taken several concrete initiatives for ensuring fair, impartial and transparent elections in the country,” this was stated by Mr. Ishtiak Ahmad Khan, Secretary ECP while briefing the participants of the 97th National Management Course (NMC), who visited the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on their inland study tour here today. He said these initiatives include; Electoral Rolls bearing photograph of voters, obtaining thumb impression of each voter casting his/her vote to avoid impersonation, preparation of non-market ballot papers with special security features, result management system for making the result compilation process fast, preparation and implementation of Code of Conduct for political parties, establishment of permanent polling stations and placement of its on website, a comprehensive voters’ awareness campaign, establishment of District outreach and Security Committee, and setting up permanent Election Tribunal for quick disposal of election disputes in day to day hearing.”
The delegation was headed by Mr. Ismail Qureshi, DG (NSPP) with Mr. Naeem Aslam, Dean National Management College and accompanied by eleven other faculty members. Mr. Justice (R) Fazal ur Rehman, Hon’ble Member ECP presided the meeting.
A detailed presentation was given by the Secretary ECP to the 58 participants of highest training course for bureaucracy on the role and responsibilities, composition and status of the ECP. They were also briefed about preparation of Electoral Rolls-2012 including the process of door-to-door verification, display centre period and its final publication on 31st May 2012. On a query, they were informed that correction, addition, and deletion in the Electoral Rolls will be continued till announcement of election schedule and voters are requested to check their voting details by simply sending their CNIC numbers to 8300.
The participants appreciated the new initiatives and efforts made by the ECP especially achieving more than 60% of the goals mentioned in the ECP’s five-year Strategic Plan 2010-14.