(Not to use official Vehicles)
OFFICE OF THE
PROVINCIAL ELECTION COMMISSIONER (SINDH)
KARACHI.
Subject : “MINISTERS NOT TO USE OFFICIAL VEHICLES OR ANY OTHER OFFICIAL FACILITY DURING ELECTION
CAMPAIGN” – CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER OF PAKISTAN.
The Acting Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr. Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, Judge Supreme Court of Pakistan presided over a high level meeting to review the arrangements made for Local Government Elections-2005 in Sindh Province. Member, Election Commission from Sindh Province Mr. Justice Muhammad Sadiq Leghari, Judge High Court of Sindh, Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan and Mr. Ahmed Ali Halepota, Provincial Election Commissioner, Sindh were also present. The meeting was attended by the Senior Officers of Provincial Government, Provincial Police Officer, Sindh and District Returning Officers of the Districts where elections are scheduled to be held in 2nd Phase. The Chief Election Commissioner emphasized that the Code of Conduct for contesting candidate during Local Government Elections must be implemented in letter and spirit. He stressed that under the Code of Conduct the Federal and Provincial Ministers, State Ministers, Advisors and other political office bearers have been barred from using official vehicles or any other official facility during election campaign of their own or any other candidate. He reiterated that no Member of National Assembly or Provincial Assembly will neither hoist national flag on their vehicles nor will announce any development scheme.
2. Earlier Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Secretary, Election Commission enumerated the objective of the meeting and expressed that in the 1st Phase, Elections are being held in 54 districts and in the 2nd Phase, elections will be held in 56 districts throughout Pakistan. He reviewed the arrangements made for holding elections in a transparent manner and emphasized on maintaining law and order situation and implementation of Code of Conduct. He added that the conduct of elections in a just, free, fair, impartial and transparent manner mainly depends upon the performance of District Returning Officers, Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers. He further added that the whole nation is looking forward on the success of the election process and most crucial stage is the Training of Polling Personnel, which is of utmost importance and plays a pivotal role in the smooth conduct of Poll. He expected that large number of Election Observers from Common Wealth, European Union, USA and SAARC countries will be visiting Pakistan to observe these elections.
3. Home Secretary and Provincial Police Officer, Sindh gave a detailed presentation about law and order situation. The Chief Election Commissioner directed the Provincial Government to ensure that the essence of Local Government Elections being conducted on non-party basis is maintained. He also issued direction to Provincial Government to extend full cooperation and assistance to the District Returning Officers and Returning Officers in performance of their duties. The District Returning Officers presented over all position of their districts with regard to arrangements made for Local Government Elections.
4. The Chief Election Commissioner expressed his over all satisfaction for the arrangements so far made for Local Government Elections-2005 in Sindh Province.