PESHAWAR: Chief Election Commissioner MJ Sikandar Sultan Raja on Tuesday asked the officials of the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure the provision of equal opportunities to all political parties, candidates and voters for participation in future polls and said no one should be favoured in the electoral process.

During his maiden visit to the ECP’s regional office here since appointment in Jan, the CEC said the commission was an impartial institution with the prime responsibility of holding free, fair and impartial elections in the country.

Provincial election commissioner Shareefullah Khan briefed the CEC about the issues related to the regional office. Other officials were also present.

Mr Shareefullah briefed the CEC about arrangements made for updating electoral rolls and delimitation of constituencies for cantonment board and local government elections in the province.

He said the existing building of the regional office was insufficient for the day-to-day functions of the commission.

“The unavailability of official buildings and strong rooms on district and regional levels has created multiple problems for us,” he said.

The CEC said in the districts where ECP had plots, PC-I should be prepared for putting up own buildings, while plots should be secured for the purpose in the districts where the ECP didn’t have land.

He said another meeting would be held after a month to look into the progress on those issues.

The CEC said a meeting would be held next week in Islamabad on the matter.

He assured the officials that all-out efforts would be made to address their administrative problems.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...