Special persons must avail postal ballot paper facility: ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked special persons to avail postal ballot paper facility to exercise their right of vote in general election. 

The commission has extended the date to apply for postal ballot papers for special persons from July 5 to July 10.

All the citizens with having Computerized National Identity Cards mentioning disabled person issued by the National and Database Registration Authority (NADRA) can submit their applications to the relevant returning officers in this regard.

Meanwhile, The ECP has also extended polling time for one hour for general elections to be held on 25th July.

The polling will begin at eight in the morning and will continue till 6:00 pm without any break.

It is said to be first time in the electoral history of the country that the polling time is being extended to ensure maximum turnout of voters.

On June 26, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had requested the ECP to extend polling time. PTI wanted the time to be extended by three hours from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, instead of years-long practice of polling culmination at 5:00 pm.

PTI chairman Imran Khan had written a letter to secretary ECP requesting for an extension in the polling for elections.

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry has said polling time should be extended as voter turnout remains low at afternoon because of the searing heat.