September 2, 2002	Monday	Jamadi-us-Saani23,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 1: Chief Election Commissioner Chief Justice Irshad Hasan Khan (retired) has asked the political parties to play their role in ensuring fair, free and transparent elections.

The CEC told Dawn that the apprehensions of possible rigging in the forthcoming elections were misplaced, and added that the Election Commission could not perform its responsibility alone, and the political parties must educate their polling agents to eliminate any possibility of rigging.

The CEC said if the polling agents were trained properly, they would be able to check whether the boxes were still sealed when brought to the counting place.

If the polling agents were trained, they would also be able to ascertain whether the ballot papers for each candidate were counted accurately in groups of 100.

The CEC said the returning officers of every constituency would announce the election results “locally” and every presiding officer would provide carbon copy of the results of the polling station to the polling agents of the candidates.

He said the votes would be counted at the polling stations immediately after the polling was over. The ballot boxes would be opened and counting would be carried out in the presence of the polling agents of the candidates.

The CEC said it was incorrect that results would be compiled through computers. The EC would receive results from returning officer through fax, and other recognised means.

It stated that the statement of count in Form-XIV would be prepared by the presiding officers in the presence of the polling agents and the signatures of the polling agents would also be obtained thereon.

The carbonised copies would be supplied to each polling agent. The system of supplying carbonised copies was being introduced for the first time for ensuring that there remained no chance of tampering with the statement of counts by making handwritten copies thereof.

The CEC said a copy of the statement of count would be pasted outside the polling station for information of general public.

On the basis of statement of counts in respect of all polling stations in a constituency, total votes polled and the votes polled by each contesting candidates would be summed up by the returning officer concerned for each national and provincial assembly constituency.

The preliminary result for the constituency would be announced by the concerned returning officer locally at the spot and a copy would be pasted at the notice board. The result would also be transmitted to the EC through telephone and telefax.

Later on, the result would be finally consolidated and the result of the count would be communicated to the EC in accordance with the provisions of law.

ELECTIONEERING BEGINS: With the lifting of the ban on political activities, election campaigns were kicked off by potential political parties throughout the country, adds APP.

The election commission has already issued a 22-point code of conduct for the political parties to ensure decency, respect for opponents and peaceful election campaigns.

Under the code of conduct, the candidates will not be allowed to use any other individual’s land, building or compound for erecting any flag, banner, or to affix posters without the permission of the owner.