FAISALABAD, April 27: The Election Commission of Pakistan, returning officers and other agencies concerned have so far failed to follow clock in making arrangements for referendum.

During visits to various government departments, this correspondent observed officials and the entire staff working on war footing to complete their assignments.

According to instructions issued by chief election commissioner, an attested photocopy of the list of the polling stations for the districts should be sent to the additional returning officer by April 20. However, the list is yet to be prepared as officials concerned are busy selecting sites for polling stations.

The CEC made it mandatory that the lists of sites should be displayed in all district, tehsil and local council offices for convenience to public. However, the assistant returning officers and other staff have yet to display lists of the polling stations due to alleged interference of some political leaders.

It was learnt that the entire staff of the government departments had been directed to remain in touch with their respective heads so as not to miss instructions.

In educational institutions, male and female teachers were seen making efforts to get their names removed from the lists of officials on duty.

The provincial election commissioners have failed to provide ballot papers, office code rubber stamps, stamps for marking ballot paper, bags, seals, ballot boxes and stationery items to assistant returning officers who had been directed to inform their high-ups three days before the polls.

A subordinate officer of an ARO, requesting anonymity, told this correspondent that the election commission had given limited time for finalizing arrangements. Despite making hectic efforts, he claimed they had been running short of time.

“It is impossible to complete the job three days before referendum but we were hopeful to accomplish the task a day before polling,” he added.

The polling will start at 9am and will continue till 7pm without any break on April 30.

Unlike previously held referendums, the whole country shall be considered a single constituency. A person, 18 years of age, shall be entitled to vote at a polling station of his choice regardless of his place of residence. The mandatory condition of identity cards has also been abolished for students as they would cast their votes by presenting special certificates, testifying their ages, issued by heads of their educational institutions.

According to local election commission, unofficial result would be announced the same day. The results will be gleaned through telephones and faxes and will be send to the returning officer in Islamabad.

Sources said heads of various government departments had been directed to use their influence to ensure a maximum turnout of voters.

The district governments will provide wagons, cars and other vehicles to the union councils’ Nazimeen for carrying people to the polling stations.

Meanwhile, Assistant Returning Officer District and Sessions Judge Sher Zaheer Ahmad, making partial modifications to previous orders, has appointed judicial officers for his assistance in the campaign here on Saturday.

Additional district and sessions judges will work as area officers while civil judges will be their deputies.