Voter paper printing must be finished by February 2: ECP

ISLAMABAD The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced on Tuesday that it will finish printing ballots by February 2 as the general election date draws closer, as reported by The News.

On the other hand, the electoral body has also started distributing ballots nationwide at the same time via security personnel in every province.

A spokesman for the ECP stated that plans are well underway for the polls on February 8. The spokesperson said that the process of printing ballot papers is currently proceeding “satisfactorily” at least three government press institutes.

“The printing work, which started on January 16 after the allotment of election symbols by returning officers (ROs). Will be completed in the next four days, i.e. by February 2,” the ECP official said.

He added that returning officers (ROs) and district administrations have started the delivery of ballot papers for the four provinces with the help of security agencies. The papers delivered via both road and air.

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Apart from this, he pointed out that the 8300 SMS service has also provided to the general public to get information about their polling station among other information from January 29, 2024.

Voters will have to send their identity card number to 8300 to get their vote information. All voters have requested to get details of their. And their family’s vote on time so that they do not face any problems in finding polling stations.

Meanwhile, the commission has so far completed the training of 970,000 polling staff out of 976,000 required polling staff. Which is 96% of the total required number. The training of the remaining 6,000 polling personnel will be completed in the next four days.

Separately, taking immediate notice of the news circulating in some sections of media today. According to which a group of Ulema in Kohistan has allegedly issued a fatwa banning women from campaigning. The commission immediately sought a report from the district monitoring officer, Kohistan Upper. Who clarified in his report that the news was not true and this was a result of misconception.

The commission would take action under Section 9 of the Elections Act. And the elections process in that constituency could be declared void, the spokesman said. If a woman prevented from campaigning or casting a ballot in the relevant constituency during the upcoming elections.

The ECP has also made aware of incidents involving gunfire. And altercations between two political parties in Karachi regarding flag hoisting. And postal ballot snatching in the Swabi district. In order to prosecute those responsible for these incidents in accordance with election laws. The commission has requested reports from the chief secretary and the relevant Inspector General.