January 8 polls: EC seeks report from provinces

Election Commission of Pakistan Monday sought report from the offices of the Provincial Election Commissions and the Provincial governments to decide about the January 08 polls.
The Commission meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner, former justice Qazi Muhammad Farooq took stock of the prevailing situation and sought report from the provincial Chief Secretaries by 1800 hours Monday to make any decision.
The EC meeting also condoled the death of Benazir Bhutto and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and courage for the bereaved families. "We are yet to decide on holding or postponing the polls," Secretary Election Commission Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad told reporters after the meeting.
"We have sought reports on damages, law and order situation and prevailing atmosphere, from the Provincial Election Commission and the Chief Secretaries by 1800 hours Monday," he said. He said the Commission would meet again on Tuesday morning to decide either to go for polls or postpone them.
To a question, he said, the polling for both the National and provincial Assemblies would be held the same day. He said a number of issues are going to be discussed before going for the decision. "We have to look into all pros and cons before any decision about holding or postponing the polls," Dilshad said.