LG schedule announced: EC

PRESS STATEMENT BY MR. JUSTICE ABDUL HAMEED DOGAR, JUDGE SUPREME COURT AND ACTING CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER OF PAKISTAN READ OUT IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE HELD IN THE ELECTION COMMISSION SECRETARIAT, ISLAMABAD ON 30TH JUNE, 2005

Ladies and Gentlemen of Press,

It is my pleasure and privilege to welcome you all this afternoon. This is my first regular Press Conference since my appointment as Acting Chief Election Commissioner, although on different occasions I had chances of interaction with some of my friends sitting here. As a Judge of Apex Court and as a Chief Election Commissioner, I firmly believe in the freedom of Press and appreciate the role the Media has been playing in advancing national cause.

Under the present system, last Local Government Elections were held in the years 2000-2001. The elected members are completing their four years term, therefore, elections to various tiers of Local Government Institutions are required to be held. Election Commission of Pakistan has been making necessary arrangements for holding elections to the Local Government Institutions and I am pleased to announce today that we are fully geared up to accomplish this huge task of holding elections throughout the country. As you are aware, electoral rolls for Local Government Elections have recently been updated. About 62.6 million registered voters will elect their representatives for 6,040 Union Councils throughout the country. Lists of Polling Stations have been finalized. It is proposed to setup 62,447 Polling Stations with 2,08,217 Polling Booths in 110 districts of the country. Appointments of 114 District Returning Officers, 1,153 Returning Officers and 1,385 Assistant Returning Officers are being made for holding elections. The appointments of Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers and Polling Officers are being finalized and it is expected that around 9,00,000/- officials will be deployed to man the polling stations. Necessary election material has been procured. Some of the items have already been delivered to the Provinces. Ballot boxes are ready for the polling day. Printing of Forms, Envelopes etc required by the Presiding Officers at the polling stations has been completed. Printing of ballot papers is in progress and will be completed well before the polling day.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to announce that Elections to Local Government Institutions will be held in three Phases. Details are being provided to you along with this Press Statement.

In the 1st Phase, Elections to the seats of Union Councils of 54 districts of all the four Provinces will be held. The process will commence with the issuance of Notices inviting Nomination Papers  on 16th July, 2005. Nomination papers will be filed from 18-7-2005 to 20-7-2005 and Polling will be held on 18th August, 2005.

In the 2nd Phase, Elections to the seats of Union Councils of remaining 56 districts of all the four Provinces will be held starting with the issuance of notices inviting Nomination Papers on 23rd July, 2005. Nomination papers will be filed from 25-7-2005 to 27-7-2005. Polling will take place on 25th August, 2005.

In the 3rd Phase, Indirect Elections to the seats of Zila/City/Tehsil/Taluka and Town Nazims and seats reserved for Women, Peasants/Workers and Minority Communities in all the above Councils of all the four Provinces will be held. The process will commence with the issuance of Notices inviting Nomination Papers on 3rd September, 2005. Nomination Papers will be filed from 05-9-2005 to 07-9-2005 with Polling Day as 29th September, 2005.

Local Government Elections will be held on non-party basis.  Code of Conduct for candidates will be released separately. I will expect from all candidates and stake- holders that rules of games will be followed in letter and spirit. Any violation of relevant Election Laws and Code of Conduct will be dealt with accordingly. Provincial Governments have been directed to ensure proper maintenance of law and order during pre and post polling period and particularly on the polling day. I firmly believe in providing level of playing field for all players. Every conceivable steps will, therefore, be taken to ensure that elections are held in a free, fair and transparent manner.

A voter awareness campaign has also been started. In this regard the role of print and electronic media is of paramount importance. I would request the Media  to come forward and extend their co-operation to make this task a success.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I once again thank you for coming to this Press Conference.