ISLAMABAD: In a significant step towards upcoming general elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has completed the printing of 260 million ballot papers for all 859 National and provincial assembly constituencies.

ECP spokesman Syed Nadeem Haider told Dawn that except for around a dozen districts, the delivery of ballot papers to district returning officers (DROs) has been completed and in the remaining districts, the ballot papers will be delivered today (Monday).

He said in 2018 general elections 220m ballot papers were printed and 800 tonnes special security paper had been used. This time, he said, 260m ballot papers have been printed on which 2,170 tonnes of paper has been used.

He said the reasons for this is increased number of candidates which surged by 150 per cent as compared to 2018 elections, and judicial orders requiring reprinting of ballot papers for several constituencies.

Another official said printing of ballot papers commenced on Jan 14 and the process completed on Feb 3. He said the transportation of ballot papers to respective districts also continued side-by-side.

In compliance with judicial orders, he said, ballot papers for 11 National Assembly and five provincial assembly seats had to be reprinted and that process had also been completed.

Despite a 195pc surge in demand for special paper, effective management led to a reduction from 2,400 tonnes to 2,170 tonnes.

The distribution of printed ballot papers comprises 5pc single-column, 50pc double-column, 30pc three-column, 11.15pc four-column, and 2.4pc five-column formats.

He said the National Assembly ballots are identifiable by green paper whereas provincial assembly ballots are printed on white paper.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2024

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