ECP COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENT SC’S VERDICT ON ELECTION EXPENSES IN LETTER AND SPIRIT,Acting Chief Election Commissioner

            Islamabad, the 12th June, 2012.-  The Hon’ble Acting Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr. Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan today presided over a meeting of the Election Commission wherein the Judgment of the Apex Court dated 8th June, 2012 passed in Constitution Petition No. 87 of 2011 (Workers Party Pakistan v. Federation of Pakistan, etc.) regarding the regulations of election campaign expenses was considered meticulously so as to implement the same in letter and spirit.
After due deliberation, the Commission directed to immediately start work on increasing the number of polling stations throughout the country in order to facilitate the voters. Moreover, it must be ensured that the polling stations are not at a distance of more than two kilometers from the place of residence of voters.
The Commission further directed that the electoral process be quickened in the light of that judgment and for that matter constituted a Steering Committee under the chairmanship of the Acting Secretary, Election Commission, including the Provincial Election Commissioners and some other senior officers of the Commission as its members. The Committee will give its recommendations within a fortnight for the implementation of the aforesaid judgment of the Apex Court.
Furthermore, the Hon’ble Acting CEC also inaugurated a Training Program designed for the Officers of the Election Commission of Pakistan. Under this training program, a group of officers of the Commission is being trained as ‘Master Trainers’, who will impart training to the officers taken from amongst the employees of the Provincial and Federal Governments as District Returning Officers/Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers.
This Training Program is also in line with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan in the above said judgment. Moreover, the employees of Federal Government/autonomous organizations/agencies, including the armed and para-armed forces would be instructed to carry out stipulated functions at the polling stations.
The Hon’ble Acting CEC urged the participants of the aforesaid training program to receive the intended training with full devotion and dedication and expressed hope that through this training course, they will not only be sharing their experiences in electoral matters but will also be involved in different hands-on exercises which will ultimately be helpful for them in performing their duties as Master Trainers.
.-.-.-.-.-.-