Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar has said that no efforts should be spared by the Provincial Election Commissioner, Sindh and all officers of the election commission in making the bye-elections exemplary.
He was speaking in a meeting held under the chairmanship of acting Chief Election Commissioner. The meeting was attended by Justice Nasim Sikandar of Lahore High Court, Justice Ahmed Khan Lashari of Balochistan High Court and Justice Qazi Ehsanullah Qureshi of Peshawar High Court.
The meeting was also attended by Hassan Muhammad, Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan, K. M. Dilshad, Joint Secretary (Admn) Electoral Reforms and National Project Director UNDP, Ahmed Ali Halepota, Provincial, Election Commissioner, Sindh and other senior officers of election commission.
According to the information collected from Karachi, the CEC said that suitable arrangements for fair and transparent elections must be made.
He also assured the immediate counting at the polling stations after the polls in the presence of polling agents and to provide the copies of the statement of count by Presiding Officers to the agents of the candidates.
A copy of the statement of count should also be pasted at a conspicuous place outside the polling station, he instructed.
Joint Secretary (Admn)/Electoral Reforms and National Project Director UNDP, K. M. Dilshad dilated upon the salient features of the new project of UNDP which will soon be launched.
The main objective of the project is to take steps for the capacity building of officers and staff of election commission, voter education, co-ordination with the NGOs, training of polling personnel by holding workshops and seminars.
CEC particularly emphasised that such workshops should not only be held in big cities but also at smaller places so that the objective of the project is fully obtained.
Provincial Election Commissioner Sindh Ahmed Ali Halepota briefed the chairman and members about the arrangements which have been made for holding bye-election from NA-229 Tharparkar-I.
Secretary Election Commission, Hassan Muhammad gave a detailed briefing about the ongoing activities of the election commission particularly important steps taken during the last one month, for holding of bye-elections in NA-229 Tharparkar-I and NA-59 Attock-III and also bye-elections to the Local Government Institutions.