ISLAMABAD, March 12: The Chief Election Commission said here on Tuesday the Election Commission was planning to establish 50,000 polling stations throughout the country to facilitate the voters to cast their vote.

Chief Election Commissioner Justice Irshad Hasan Khan informed a seven-member Norwegian delegation, headed by State Secretary for International Development Olav Kjorven, that the EC had planned to establish 50,000 polling stations to facilitate the citizens to use their right of franchise.

The CEC said even after the establishment of 50,000 polling stations there were still areas/villages/settlements which were so far away and their population so scanty that no independent polling station could be established without incurring huge expenses.

The possibility of establishing polling stations housed in tents or other temporary structures was, however, under consideration, he added.

Sufficient funds, the CEC further said, would be required for the purpose as it would entail training of the personnel for additional polling stations and other related activities.

He explained that normally, on the polling day, the contestants arrange for the transportation of voters of their respective constituencies to the polling stations from far-flung areas because the citizens living at distant places do not come by themselves to cast their votes.

The CEC, however, said the EC was not in a position to undertake this exercise due to financial constraints.

He apprised the delegation of the work completed by the Election Commission, so far, in regard to the preparation of electoral rolls and delimitation of constituencies.

The Norwegian state secretary assured the CEC of his cooperation and promised to extend maximum possible financial support for the forthcoming elections.

He said: “We will find a way to support your elections financially. This is very important and decisive moment in your history. We think the international community stands behind you and supports the elections in Pakistan.”

The CEC assured the members of the delegation that the EC, with a view to bring about transparency and fairness in the conduct of elections, will act with neutrality, objectivity and independence without being influenced from any quarter whatsoever.

The Chief Election Commissioner appreciated the support Norway is providing to the Election Commission of Pakistan in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme.