MEASURES TAKEN BY THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF PAKISTAN FOR CONDUCT OF FREE, FAIR AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS.
…………Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad,
Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan
Islamabad, the 10th February, 2008:—Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan has informed that in order to conduct free, fair and transparent Elections in a peaceful atmosphere, the Election Commission of Pakistan has taken several measures which are as under:
(i) In order to strengthen the democratic electoral system, electoral commodities of international standard are being used for the first time, during the forthcoming General Elections.
(ii) Comprehensive Training has been imparted to all the Polling Officials under the supervision of International experts.
(iii) An extensive public awareness campaign has been launched by the Election Commission of Pakistan to inform the electors about the importance of vote and how to exercise it, their right and responsibilities and the importance of General Elections through an Education Programme on the Print and Electronic media.
(iv) Special arrangements have been made for International Observers, in collaboration with Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to enable them to observe the proceedings of the upcoming General Elections.
(v) The constituency-wise DVDs have been prepared and supplied free of cost to the major Political Parties for the first time in the electoral history of Pakistan. For the facility of the Political Parties, Contesting Candidates and general public, the Computerized Electoral Rolls have been hosted on the Website of ECP which has been appreciated by all the stakeholders Nationally/Internationally.
(vi) The Presiding Officers have been given powers of 1st Class Magistrate for maintenance of order at the Polling Stations. They can remove or cause to be removed any person who misconducts at a Polling Station or fails to obey any lawful order of the Presiding Officer.
(vii) For maintenance of law & order, the Law Enforcing Agencies to remain on duty outside the Polling Stations and they will not be allowed to enter the Polling Stations/Booths unless required by the Presiding Officers for specific purpose.
(viii) The Presiding Officers have been directed to strictly observe Section 38 of the Representation of the People Act, 1976 which relates to the proceedings at the close of Poll which also requires the Presiding Officer to give a certified copy of the Statement of the Count and the Ballot Paper Account to such of the candidates, their Election Agents or Polling Agents as may be present.