ISLAMABAD, May 24: Acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar said on Tuesday that the Local Government Ordinance, 2002, did not envisage appointment of administrators in place of district nazims. Amendments would be required in the ordinance if administrators were to be appointed to replace nazims before the local government elections, Justice Dogar told journalists after activating the process of printing ballot papers at the Printing Corporation of Pakistan.

The printing of ballot papers for local government polls has been started simultaneously at the Printing Corporation presses in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. The National Reconstruction Bureau recently proposed amendments to the ordinance envisaging powers to the chief ministers to remove district nazims and appoint caretakers in their place after the announcement of the election schedule. The amendments have not yet been approved.

Justice Dogar said the election schedule would be announced in the first week of July and the process would be completed in August. About 350 million ballot papers will be printed as each voter may cast six votes for different posts.

Justice Dogar said the Election Commission was fully prepared to conduct the election and services of personnel from the judiciary and the education department would be acquired for the purpose. Police will be asked to maintain peace during the election process, while services of the armed forces and other security agencies can be acquired to deal with any law and order situation.

Justice Dogar warned candidates that they could be disqualified if found guilty of misusing state machinery or resources. Tribunals constituted specially for the purpose would be required to decide election matters within a specified period, he said.

He said a report on resolution of disputes pertaining to the 2002 elections had been sought.