ECP writes to ministry for uninterrupted power supply on polling day

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday wrote to the Ministry of Energy, Power Division, for uninterrupted power supply for three days during the general elections.

Referring to the election programme and February 8 general elections, the ECP said that polling for the National Assembly and four provincial assemblies’ constituencies would be held on February 8 from 8am to 5pm. Immediately after the close of poll, the process of counting of votes would be held.

“For the accomplishment of the task of national importance, satisfactorily, uninterrupted power supply all over the country is essential, till the completion of counting process on the polling day. It is therefore, requested that necessary instructions may be issued to the quarters concerned to ensure uninterrupted power supply throughout the country on poll day i.e. 8th February, 2024 and night between 8th and 9th February, 2024,” the letter reads.

Meanwhile, the ECP has banned carrying of mobile phones inside polling stations during the 2024 general elections. To this effect, the ECP has communicated to the four provincial election commissioners that all election staff except the presiding officer will keep their mobile phones switched off during the polling.

The ECP has said that the entry of male staff in women polling stations without the permission of presiding officer will also be banned.