ECP’s rare decision to ensure implementation of its code

ISLAMABAD: In a rare move, the Election Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday decided to take an undertaking from the (federal) Planning and Development Secretary and chairman (P&D) Punjab, and Sindh’s additional chief secretary development that funds would not be released till local bodies polls are over in the two provinces.
This decision has been made to ensure implementation of its code in letter and spirit. The obtaining of the affidavit from the top government functionaries would bar release of funds on specific recommendations of the elected representatives under any programme or scheme. “The Election Commission wants total compliance of its code and will not hesitate to take any measure that ensures in achieving this objective,” a senior official at the EC told The News.
He said no formal meeting was held on this count but the entire EC was in complete consensus on obtaining affidavit next week from the government functionaries to halt release of poll-related funds to influence voters in specific constituencies. The decision, he pointed out, had been taken, after reports appeared in the media about announcement of new uplift schemes and release of funds to influence voters.
In another development, the EC has declined outright the request of DCO, City District Government Lahore, who sought permission for recruitment of 390 lady sanitary patrol in the Health Department and directed pending the recruitment till culmination of election process.
“The request was deliberated upon and it was found out that this request if obliged can have an impact on voters and hence go the electoral benefit of specific candidates,” the ECP official maintained, quoting the Election Commission members.
The EC has fixed the last date for receipt of postal ballot papers to the Punjab Assembly’s constituency PP-16, Attock-II as September 21. The facility has been extended only to the voters in the government of Pakistan, personnel of the Armed Forces, holders of public offices and their wives and such children, who are registered as voters, provided they are stationed at any other place instead of their constituency.