RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction over delay in passing draft of Election Act, 2017 by Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms and asked the speaker

National Assembly to take appropriate measures in this respect.

The ECP asked the speaker National Assembly to direct relevant committee to finalise its recommendations and lay the bill before the Parliament for making necessary legislation and enacting the Election Act, 2017 as early as possible so that the ECP can start and complete its work in time, according to the new law.

In a statement it was stated that the ECP made all-out efforts to assist the parliamentary committee by providing draft legislative proposals, comparative statements of the existing and proposed legislation, modalities for introduction of electoral technology and international best practices in respect of unified election laws.

The commission in a statement said that the general election 2018 is fast approaching and the commission requires at least six months on expiry of terms of an assembly to prepare a comprehensive action plan specifying all legal and administrative measures that have been taken or are required to be taken.

The ECP has to undertake the task before the expiry of term of assemblies includes: delimitation, revision of electoral rolls, appointment and training of polling staff, provision of logistic support to polling staff, preparation of polling stations, enlistment of political parties, finalisation of code of conduct for political parties, allocation of symbols, printing of ballot papers and others.