A meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan held here on Friday under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan reviewed the arrangements being made for the third phase of local government elections in Punjab. ECP members, provincial home secretary, inspector-general of police and district returning officers (DROs) of 12 districts and other senior officers attended the meeting.
In his opening remarks, the CEC told the participants of the meeting that under Article 218(3) of the Constitution, it was the duty of the commission to conduct local government elections in Punjab in a free, fair and transparent manner by providing a level playing field to all the contesting candidates and political parties.
The Punjab Election Commission briefed the meeting about polling stations/polling booths being set up for the third phase of local government elections, number of contesting candidates for each category and wards, polling staff appointed and trained for the purpose, requirement of Army/Rangers personnel, printing and transportation of ballot papers and security arrangements.
The provincial home secretary and IGP, Punjab informed the meeting that the security arrangements being made for the forthcoming local government polls include initiatives/preventive measures that include zero tolerance on violation of Code of Conduct, ban on victory rallies, surety bonds and imposition of Section 144 of Cr. PC under which assembly of more than five people near 300 meters of polling stations will be banned.
The DRO of 12 districts informed the meeting about the arrangements being made in their respective districts, besides sharing their achievements and problems. The CEC praised the steps taken by the Election Commission, Punjab, provincial government and the DROs and hoped that the third phase of local government elections in Punjab will be well-organised and more systematic.