ECP is all set to ensure free, fair and peaceful polls in second phase

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: District election commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Tanoli on Thursday said that according to the election rules no minister, senator or assembly member would be allowed to announce or inaugurate any of the ongoing development projects in Lower Dir after the announcement of reschedule of the second phase of local bodies’ polls. Talking to local journalists at his Balambat office Mr Tanoli said the ECP had finalized its preparations for smooth and transparent conduction of LB polls in the district.
He said the ECP was determined to ensure free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections during the second phase. The official warned the government workers of taking part or influencing the proposed LB polls to be held on March 31. He said the nominated candidates from the political parties and independents for different slots had restarted their activities after the announcement. He said that nomination papers were being obtained from the returning officers’ offices.
He said the returning officers had been provided with two-day training. Mr Tanoli said the ECP had formed a 14-member committee of monitoring officers. He said that each Tehsil in the district had two monitors who would directly contact the deputy commissioner Aun Haidar Gondal. He said the Lower dir district had seven tehsils and 198 village and neighborhood councils where the elections would be held on March, 31st.
The district election commissioner said that nomination papers could be filed with the ROs from Feb 14 to 18 while the candidates’ names would be publicized on Feb 19. He said the last date for scrutiny of papers is Feb 21 to 23 while a decision on appeals by the appellate tribunal would be made till March 1st. He said the revised list of candidates would be publicized on March 2nd while election symbols would be allotted on March 4.