The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday displayed preliminary electoral rolls of 80.32 million voters at 55,000 display centres across the country. The commission vowed to finalize error-free voters' lists by the end of May this year. The ECP also launched Short Message Service (SMS) campaign for verification of the new electoral rolls.
The initial electoral rolls, which included names of 47.35 million male and 35.93 million females' voters, were displayed at more than 55,000 public places across the country, which would go up to 85 million after few months. The initial lists would be on display for three weeks at the ECP prescribed centers for the purpose of receiving complaints and correcting mistakes.
The electoral rolls launching ceremony was held here at the ECP, wherein Secretary Election Commission Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan and members ECP former Justice Fazal-ur-Rehman launched the SMS service for the citizens, saying that system was hit by 50,000 SMSs within 20 minutes after the launch.
By using the SMS service‚ the eligible voters would be able to get the voting details like Electoral Area name‚ Block Code‚ Tehsil/District and Serial Number by sending his/her Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) number on 8300. The name‚ parentage and home address would not be shown in the SMS to protect the privacy of a voter.
Secretary ECP Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan while talking to reporters said each voter must see the list or obtain information through SMS to ensure correction‚ registration‚ objections over the next three weeks. He said the final electoral rolls will be issued in May this year. He said under the 20th constitutional amendment‚ the election commission has been fully empowered to hold free‚ fair and transparent elections in the country. He said a voters awareness campaign in collaboration with different organisations including UNDP would be lunched to facilitate the voters in registration‚ correction and filing of objections.
To a question‚ the secretary said the overseas Pakistanis have been given the right to cast their vote. However‚ those holding dual nationalities can't cast the vote under Article 63 (1)C, he clarified. Similarly, the ECP has added 3.7 million overseas Pakistanis in the voters' list.
He further informed that an amendment was being proposed to the relevant law to ensure casting of at least 10 percent votes at female polling stations, otherwise the result should be withheld and re-poll would be ordered at such polling stations.
In order to ensure transparent elections, he said, the Prime Minister, chief ministers, advisors and ministers would not be allowed to campaign or spend public funds after announcement of elections' schedule. He further said that permanent polling stations would be set up and SMS facility would also be provided to voters to find out the location of their polling stations after about three months. The secretary further said that the ECP would now be focusing on Local Governments elections and a meeting with the provincial governments would be held after the Senate polls in this regard.
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