The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has convened a high level meeting in the last week of November to discuss various options for the protection of polling staff and voters during general election, Additional Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Muhammad Afzal Khan said on Monday.
In a briefing to media persons on voter education plan 2012-13, he said all the Provincial Chief Secretaries, Inspectors General of Police (IGPs), Home Secretaries, Interior Secretaries, representative of Nadra and other stakeholders will attend the meeting and assist the commission in preparing a plan for voters' protection in the general election.
He maintained that there will be a complete ban on carrying and displaying all kinds of weapons and fire arms in public meetings. This will lead to disqualification of the contesting candidate. Afzal said unlike past, returning officer who will exercise his/her magisterial power at the spot can sentence violators up to 3-month imprisonment. The returning officer will be provided security personnel trained to deal with certain situation.
He further said, Rangers or police may also be called in on sensitive polling stations. Afzal Khan said the upcoming general elections will be held under the supervision of Supreme Court (SC). It is the topmost priority of the Commission to hold free and fair elections and the apex court is ready to help the commission out in this regard, adding the elections will take place under the aegis of the ECP alone.
Army may be called in on sensitive polling stations but this should not mean that elections will take place in its supervision, Afzal Khan clarified. The Commission led by former Justice Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, enjoys complete support from the higher judiciary, the EC official said. Afzal said that the commission was the election management body with the sole responsibility to hold free and fair election. To maintain law and order at the polling stations is the responsibility of provinces.
For the voter education, the commission has directed election offices at district levels to involve respective DCOs, DPOs, Nadra, Press Clubs to introduce education plan for voters' preparation by ECP. The Chief Election Commissioner along with Secretary Election Commission would visit the provincial capitals and meet the provincial administrations, heads of political parties and heads of media organisations to seek their support in holding general election. Afzal said the commission believes that without support of political parties, civil society and media, a free and fair election could not be possible.