ECP to issue 180 million ballot papers

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will issue around 180 million ballot papers for over 80 million voters in the country to cast vote in the coming elections. This was informed in a high level meeting held under the chair of Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Kanwar Dilshad here on Thursday at the office of Provincial Election Commission, Sindh.
Chaudhry Qamar uz Zaman, Provincial Election Commissioner (PEC) Sindh, district returning officers, returning officers and concerned officials also attended the meeting convened to review the ongoing electoral process.
The ballot papers would be sent to the Security Printing Press on December 17 for the printing purposes, it was informed in the meeting, adding that all possible efforts would be made for completion of printing of ballot papers within the stipulated time.It was told to the local governments in the meeting to refrain from any kind of indulgence in the election process besides trying to influence the electoral staff.
Kanwar Dilshad said that local governments in the country including Sindh should avoid all kinds of activities that could interrupt the electoral process or violate the Code of Conduct as outlined by the ECP.
The political parties, participating in the election to be held on January 8 2007, were asked to strictly follow the guidelines of Election Commission to ensure peaceful election process.
It was apprised in the meeting that supply of transparent ballot boxes to all the constituencies would start from Thursday. The decision was taken to make sure availability of transparent ballot boxes in the constituencies situated in far-flung areas of the province. It may be pointed out that ECP has imported around 430,000 transparent ballot boxes from China to ensure fair and transparent election.
The matter of security concerns was also discussed in the meeting and it was demanded of the law enforcement agencies to adopt strict security measures for foolproof arrangements during the elections.
Later, talking with media, Kanwar Dilshad said that Election Commission would perform its duties to ensure peaceful and transparent elections in the country. He appealed to the candidates belonging to various political parties not to violate the Code of Conduct (COC) and inform the commission in case they found any violation of COC.
Meanwhile, Consul General of France Pierry Seilan called on Secretary ECP Kanwar Dilshad, PEC Sindh Qamar uz Zaman at the PEC Sindh office and discussed over the ongoing electoral process in the country.
French Consul General reiterated the opinion of the European countries for holding a fair and free elections under a peaceful environment. Kanwar Dilshad and Chaudhry Qamar uz Zaman informed him about the measures being taken by the ECP for a transparent electoral process.