ISLAMABAD, April 26: Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Irshad Hasan Khan has said that it is the duty of Election Commission to make all necessary arrangements to ensure that referendum is conducted in a transparent and credible manner in accordance with the law.

The CEC was talking to Mr Chat Blackman, political counsellor of the US embassy, who called on him here on Friday.

The CEC explained to him in detail various aspects of the Referendum Order 2002 and the methodology and mechanisms evolved by the Election Commission of Pakistan to implement it with neutrality, objectivity, impartiality and independence at every stage of the referendum process.

He elaborated that Returning Officers, Additional Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers had been appointed, polling stations established and directions given to all concerned to conduct the referendum justly and fairly in accordance with law.

The CEC informed the US diplomat that 87074 polling stations and 163642 polling booths had been established which were likely to increase as efforts were being made to set up polling stations for every 500 voters, wherever practicable, in order to facilitate the voters.

The Chief Election Commissioner mentioned that the appointment of the senior officers of the district judiciary as assistant returning officers and the appointment of independent persons of good character as polling assistants and the use of indelible ink would ensure the fairness and transparency of the polling process.

He clarified that the entire expenditure incurred in the polling process including TA/DA and honoraria of the polling staff and polling assistants would be borne by the Election Commission of Pakistan itself in order to ensure the independence and credibility of the referendum.