'ECP is striving to hold free and fair elections,' says CEC in message ahead of polls
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) retired Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza on Tuesday assured voters that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was "trying its best to hold free, fair and unbiased elections".
In a video message released by the election body, Raza urged voters to fulfill their "duty towards the nation" by casting their votes responsibly on polling day on July 25.
Also read: Thinking of not voting in Pakistan's elections? Think again
Over the past few days, the ECP has released multiple notifications for voters, polling staff and political parties, explaining what to do — and what not to do — on polling day.
On Monday, the election body issued a list of requirements that a ballot paper would have to meet in order to be included in the counting process. Ballot papers that are missing the official code mark or assistant presiding officer's signature or have a paper attached to them will not be considered valid, according to the ECP.
Last week, the ECP released a notification informing voters, polling staff and political parties of actions that would constitute as crimes on election day and would fall under the jurisdiction of the district returning officers.
Asking a voter who they voted for, spoiling ballot papers or stamps in any way, taking a picture of the ballot paper are some of the actions that would land the offender in jail for upto three months, result in fines upto Rs100,000, or both.
Comments (23) Closed
Trustworthy CEC.
This is not a secret exam - so why is it that “... taking a picture of the ballot paper ... “ is not allowed for the voter?
Dear Respected CEC, voting list have flaws, people are at one place votes are somewhere else, and justification is that we have published in newspaper, well not all read newspapers, besides publishing in newspaper and getting an easy escape rather than devising a plan B is not justifiable. it was so simple to tackle this problem which is ... must have spread the news on tv , social media or upon sending sms to 8300 another msg should be attached saying that if you are not in your constituency/HALKA, kindly goto NADRA services center and cast your vote, NADRA offices upon checking credentials will open his constituency candidates signs and name and he will just have to put finger simple, its just a layout and workable solution because you already have involved NADRA for results gathering. I mean how can election be fair and free and unbiased if people cant vote millions of people wont be able to vote and no one talking about it, i know tens of people who wont be able to vote.
In Karachi, public transport is shut down, kindly take notice.
Freely and Fairly rigged Free and Fair election in the presence of gun tottering army at poling stations and at counting centres. To be fair Army officer only will announce the name of winner.
My dear CJP, who will fill the void left out by your decisions? You have not derailed the democracy but you have caused irreparable damage to it.
And its not feeling any shame by saying this.
Lets us hope it happens but what has transpired with ballot paper by officials it is difficult to say so.
Hope whatever you says, comes true...
assalamalaikum,the sucess of forthcoming elections in pakistan will give the message of stability & security of pakistan to all the corners of the world,that is why the upcoming elections in pakistan is so important for pakistan.
Ecp should ask govt for a holiday on Thursday, so ppl can vote on Wednesday and know they have a day to relax. Otherwise with this weather,. Low voter turnout likely. Thanks
The most rigged elections in the history of our country period
We know Sir, though it does not show on the ground
Respect your vote and the voting process for the sake of fairness for PK.
ECP please ensure those confined in jails are allowed to vote. That is part of a fair election.
We hope for transparent election....
We congratulate ECP for its resolve & will. Let the resolve and will covers more domain to only sort out and allow those contestants who are honest, true, and good track record. Even if somehow dishonest guy got elected, he must be thrown out, after screening and checking with his statements in Affidavit.The people stands by ECP. Great get going.
top class joke.......
My wife arrived in Karachi on 20th July from USA and was anxious to do her civic duty to Vote in the upcoming election.She is a born,raised in Karachi and after her marriage to me her address was in Clifton. So when she used the CINC number to find out where her voting Station was Lo and behold she found that her address had been changed to somewhere in Fasilabad in Punjab. Please publish this so that other CINC holders who live abroad can check and see where their vote has been manipulated to vote for which party. I would urge all Pakistanis living abroad who cannot go home to vote to please check your CINC addresses and if it was used to vote in your absence.
The most fair elections in recent times anywhere including the first world countries.
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan the rigged elections were happened last time. Still remember how MNAs from Karachi got votes in exact round figures and that too in large numbers like 160000, 200000 We also remember the rolls of RO's in Punjab. I remember the tickers on news channel that ECP has taken notice of discrepancies in Karachi and what happened later? Nothing. Period
A couple of reporters turned journalists of ARY were not happy with Imran Khan who did not say anything about the Quetta tragedy. There were umpteenth number of these reporters, why didn't they question him? This shows that the news had not reached them.
good job Mr sec