ISLAMABAD, July 26: The Acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar on Monday asked the election commissioner of Sindh to ensure that the upcoming August 18 by-election in Tharparkar was free, fair and transparent.

An official announcement issued from Islamabad gave details about a recent meeting in Karachi to discuss arrangements in detail for the Tharparkar by-election.

The acting CEC who presided over the meeting was very particular about ensuring that the count was held at the polling stations immediately after the elections are held in the presence of polling agents, and the copies of the statement of count should also be provided by the presiding officers to the agents of the candidates.

A copy of the statement of count should also be pasted at a conspicuous place outside the polling station, he said. During the meeting, the Sindh Election Commissioner Ahmed Ali Halepota, briefed the chairman and members about the arrangements for holding the election in the NA-229 Tharparkar-I constituency.

Secretary Election Commission Hasan Muhammad also gave a detailed briefing about the on-going activities of the Election Commission, particularly important steps taken during the last one month for holding by-elections in NA-229 Tharparkar and NA-59 Attock-III constituencies and also by-election at local government institutions.

During the meeting K.M. Dilshad, joint secretary for electoral reforms and UNDP national project director dilated upon the salient feature of the new UNDP project which will be launched soon.

The main objectives of the project are, among others, to take steps for the capacity building of officers and staff of the election commission, voter education, coordination with the NGOs and training of personnel for duties during an election, by holding workshops and seminars.