ECP reviews countrywide arrangements for LG by-elections

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Tuesday reviewed the arrangements for Local Government (LG) by-election in all four provinces of the country.

In a meeting presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza, a detailed briefing was given by all four Provincial Election Commissioners while discussion was made on issues and their solutions towards holding these elections.

Secretary Election Commission was also present on the occasion and it was decided to hold a meeting with all four Provincial Local Government Secretaries during the next week.

This meeting would further review the arrangements in connection with these elections and future strategy would be devised after listening to the viewpoint of provincial governments.

Meanwhile, the ECP has registered as many as 631,909 overseas Pakistani voters for giving them right to vote in by-polls in 37 constituencies on October 14.

According to an official of ECP, during registration process started from September 1, all overseas Pakistanis had been asked to register themselves as voters by due date.

He said the commission had also extended the date for registration of overseas Pakistan is from September 15 to September 17 for exercising their right of casting vote in by-elections.

He said all registered overseas Pakistanis voters would have the right of casting vote in bye-election through I-Voting system.

He said a letter had been written to the Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs to direct the Pakistani missions abroad to educate overseas Pakistanis regarding registration process and right of their vote in by-elections in their respective constituencies.

He said the ECP will deliver stipulated time voting passport to overseas Pakistanis to avail the opportunity of I-Voting for casting their vote in by-elections being held in 37 constituencies on October 14.

The official added the commission will generate voting passport system for registered overseas Pakistanis on October 14 and all eligible voters can cast their vote during Pakistan Standard Time from 8am to 6pm on polling day.