Checking vote registration: ECP approves provision of SMS facility to general public

The Election Commission of Pakistan approved providing SMS facility to the general public for checking their vote registration, particulars etc and fixed nominal SMS charges for public, i-e Rs 2.00 per SMS. The decision was taken in the meeting of ECP on Wednesday. Chief Election Commissioner former Justice Hamid Ali Mirza chaired the meeting. the meeting was attended by members, secretary and other senior officers.
An official of ECP explained that the service of verification of votes through SMS will likely to start in the January 2012 till the general election. The date of the service will be announced after Nadra completes the verification of voter lists.
He further said that 50,000 display centres will be opened in all over the country. In case of any correction in voting list, the individual can make correction in the data at these centres. The ECP officials will be there to help the complainant. In case these officials can not resolve the complainant, reviving authorities at district level will consider the complaint.
The duration of these display centres would not be more than 21 days but voter can correct his individual information from district, provincial and federal ECP offices. In the meeting on Wednesday, the ECP took decisions of other important issues.
The Commission approved submission of a summary to the Prime Minister for grant of full financial autonomy to the Commission for ensuring complete independence. The documents submitted by the nine newly formed political parties were found to be in conformity with the provisions of the Political Parties Order, 2002 and directed to be retained on record in accordance with law. These parties include Tehreek-i-Istehkaam Pakistan, Islamic Republican Party, Roshan Pakistan League, Pakistan Rah-e-Haq Party, Jammat Aalay Kalam Ullah wa Farmaan Rasool, Jannat Pakistan Party, Pakistan Mohajar League, Pakistan Peoples Alliance and Bahawalpur National Awami Party.
Three political parties allotted from the approved list of symbols and according to their preference. These are Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan (Cup & Saucer), Tehreek-e-Sooba Hazara Pakistan (Truck) and Mustaqbil Pakistan (Wrench). The details of intra-party election of National Peoples Party, Pakistan Bachao Party and Pak Muslim Alliance submitted under Article 11(1) of the Political Parties Order, 2002, being in conformity with the provisions of law, were approved to be published in the official Gazette, as required under Article 12(3) of the Political Parties Order, 2002.