ISLAMABAD, May 15: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday promulgated Conduct of General Elections (Amendment) Order, 2002, under which a citizen who has attained the age of 18 years on Jan 1, 2002, shall be eligible to vote.

Through the order, an article, 7A, has been inserted in Chief Executive’s Order 7 of 2002 after Article 7, stating:

“Age of voters: Notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution or any other law for the time being in force including the Electoral Rolls Act, 1974 (XXXI of 1974), for the election of members of the National Assembly and provincial assemblies, a citizen who has attained the age of 18 years on the Jan 1, 2002, shall be eligible to vote and the chief election commissioner shall cause the electoral rolls to be prepared accordingly under the provisions of the Electoral Rolls Act, 1974.

Provided that any claim for inclusion of any name or objection against any entry in the electoral roll shall be made to the revising authority within 15 days of the publication of the draft electoral roll.”—APP