F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has said the electoral watchdog is “fully prepared” for polls on February 8.
According to a statement released after a high-level moot called by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to overview the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, CEC Raja said elements disrupting the law and order situation will be strictly dealt with by law enforcement agencies and Pakistan Army.
“In this regard, no leniency will be shown to anyone,” he was quoted as saying in the statement. During the meeting, which was attended by intelligence officials and the caretaker interior minister among others, the CEC raised concerns over recent attacks on election offices and rallies in KP and Balochistan.
The CEC clarified that the electoral process will not halt despite these security challenges. “Elections will be held on time and there should be no doubts on that,” the ECP statement said. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has said all measures would be taken to ensure the peaceful conduct of elections and urged political parties to continue canvassing without any fear.
According to a statement released by the Election Commission of Pakistan, CEC Raja termed terrorism the “biggest enemy” of the electoral process. But at the same time, he expressed full confidence in law enforcement agencies. He also urged the LEAs to remain alert for any potential law and order situation during the counting of votes and announcement of results.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken notice of the promotion of development projects by the caretaker governments and sought a report from the chief secretaries of the four provinces, APP reports. The caretaker governments were running campaigns in the form of advertisements for development projects, which was likely to affect the conduct of fair and transparent elections, the spokesperson of ECP told media.
Quoting an example, he said that the ‘Green Bus Service’ campaign in Sindh was being carried out, and clarified that caretaker governments were bound to work within the law. The ECP issued a letter directing the caretaker governments to stop advertising any development projects until the general elections are conducted peacefully.
Meanwhile, the police chiefs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have apprised the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of measures taken to deal with security threats in the provinces. During a high-level moot, the chief secretary and inspector general of Balochistan said law enforcement agencies and provincial administration were on alert, according to an ECP statement.
They also shared details of the operations underway in Balochistan against terrorists. They affirmed that no “political or nonpolitical powers” would be allowed to interfere in the electoral process. Meanwhile, officials of KP informed the ECP about the measures taken and said all facilities had been provided to LEAs in the province.
