Printing of ballot papers begins under army's supervision

ISLAMABAD: With the general elections less a month away, the process of printing ballot papers for the polls began on Sunday as per schedule.  

More than 210 million ballot papers will be printed for the polls at a cost of Rs2 billion. All arrangements have been finalized in this regard.

The printing work will be done under the supervision of army in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

Earlier, spokesperson of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Altaf Ahmed Khan had said that printing and transportation of ballot papers will be done under strict security to be provided by the military.

He said there are three phases involved from the printing of ballot papers till handing over to the returning officers.

He said the Commission had directed the provincial election commissioners to share candidates’ information with the printing organizations and it should be done before 30th of June.

He said the printing of ballot papers will be carried out by printing press of Pakistan, Printing Corporation, and Postal Foundation Printing Press. After the printing of ballot papers the phase of transportation of the papers to the returning officers concerned is also the responsibility of election commission, he added.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has published the final lists of election candidates along with their symbols.

The lists of candidates have been displayed outside the offices of the returning officers and district returning officers across the country.