ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should start a mechanism to carry out house-by-house verification of electoral rolls, DawnNews reported.

A three-judge bench of the apex court issued its verdict over a petition filed by Barrister Zafarullah of the Watan Party relating to election campaign expenses and the role of the ECP.

The court ruled that the ECP should be strict in its implementation of laws pertaining to elections as well as monitor the expenses of political parties and other candidates on campaigns.

The ECP is mandated to play its role in order to administer free and fair elections in the country, the ruling said.

No polling station should be farther than two kilometres from a voter's residence, the court ruled, adding that candidates would not be allowed to use private transportation for voters. The ruling added that transportation for voters should be provided by the caretaker government at the time.

Candidates in elections would not be allowed to establish camp offices near polling stations, the ruling said, adding that the candidates would also have to produce an account of the expenses incurred for transportation and other facilities.

The court ruled that only one bank account number should be taken from the candidates in their details.

The court moreover directed that legislation should be introduced to make it mandatory for all those eligible to cast their votes.