Regarding use of biometric machines (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa LG Polls)

Islamabad, the 8^th June, 2015:                There are reports in the media regarding press conference of Mr. Inayatullah Khan, Minister for Local Government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province wherein he has thrown the entire responsibility of “election mess on ECP” stating that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government had advised ECP to conduct LG Polls in phases with the help of biometric system but their demand was rejected.

                        Mr. Inayatullah Khan has further stated in the press conference that the role of Provincial Government in the election was to extend logistic support to the ECP.

                        It is clarified that maintenance of law and order during the elections is the sole responsibility of Provincial Government, not only the provision of the logistic support.

                        In the said press conference, Mr. Inayatullah Khan has also given the impression that ECP on its own conducted the Local Government Elections on a single day. It is reiterated that keeping in view the security measures and requirement of huge number of polling staff, ECP had already advised the KPK Government for conducting the elections in phases, but the Provincial Government, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was of the view that the poll may be held on one day. Advice and views of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Govt. are on record.

                Regarding use of biometric machines, it is clarified that in a meeting of the Chief Minister Pervez Khattak with the Hon’ble Election Commission, after detail deliberation on the pros and cons of use of biometric machines, the Chief Minister had agreed to conduct LG polls without biometric machines. 

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