The Cabinet on Monday quizzed Election Commission (EC) Secretary Dilshad over 'ghost' polling stations as not only the opposition parties were raising such apprehensions, but even US has also expressed doubts on the transparency of general elections, sources told Business Recorder.
However, he, who had briefed the Cabinet over election arrangements on January 22, brushed aside the apprehensions of some of the Cabinet members. "The number of polling stations is the same as during the general elections of 2002. Therefore the question of 'ghost' polling stations does not arise," sources quoted EC Secretary as having told the Cabinet.
They said that the Cabinet had also raised serious concerns over the reports that District Nazims were illegally interfering in the election process, and EC Secretary agreed that the reports were there. "Ban on transfer of employees in the provinces imposed by the EC is being violated," Dilshad said.
Earlier, he told the Cabinet that the EC had completed all necessary arrangements for holding February 18 elections, complimenting Cabinet Secretary for timely printing of ballot papers. He said that holding of general elections had attained international significance and Pakistan was the only country in the world where general elections were conducted by the judiciary.
Regional offices of the Commission for the 15 National and 30 Provincial Assemblies constituencies, which were affected due to loot and arson incidents in Sindh soon after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto have been reactivated, and polling in these constituencies would be held on the same day, he added.
He said that the Election Commission has so far finalised its operations for 272 National Assembly and 728 Provincial Assemblies seats across the country. He further stated that around 81 million voters were expected to exercise their right of franchise in the upcoming polls, for which 7335 candidates are in the run. The Election Commission has established 64,000 polling stations and 170,000 polling booths besides appointing 64,000 Presiding Officers, District Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers.
The Election Commission has distributed around two million copies of code of conduct for elections among the candidates as well as the political parties and their agents to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
Elections will be monitored by 398 international election observers from the United States of America (USA) and European Union (EU). Regarding 'ghost' polling stations he told the Cabinet that the number of polling stations was the same as during the Elections of 2002. Therefore, the question of 'ghost' polling stations in the election 2008 did not arise.
Responding to another query regarding complaints of violation of code of conduct of the Election Commission, the Secretary informed the Cabinet that all such complaints were referred to the concerned District Returning Officers who are District and Sessions Judges, who investigate such complaints.
An observation regarding undue interference in election process by the District Nazims was also raised and it was suggested that they should be kept out of the election process in accordance with the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan. It was pointed out that the ban on the transfer of the employees in the Provinces imposed by the election Commission was being violated.
After detailed discussion, the Cabinet directed the provincial governments to implement the 'no transfer' policy issued by the Election Commission in letter and spirit.
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