New delimitations possible after Census-2017 results notification

ISLAMABAD: Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Babar Yaqoob on Tuesday said that the Commission will be able to start its work on new delimitations after notification of results of national Census-2017.

In a media briefing, he said that it will not be possible for the ECP to complete its work on review on new electoral rolls and new delimitations in case of delay in publishing of results and providing other relevant details of national Census-2017.

He said that holding of general elections was not possible without new delimitations as legally and constitutionally there are hurdles in holding next elections on existing delimitations.

He added existing seats have no legal and constitutional status to have election on them after national Census-2017, adding, notification of results of national Census-2017 was necessary for this activity.

Expressing his concerns over delay in publishing of results and providing other relevant details of national census-2017, the secretary ECP said that the commission has in-writing requested the Secretary Law to complete their work so that ECP may fulfill its constitutional responsibilities.

He said that the ECP was ready for new delimitations under new law but it depends on sharing of national Census-2017 results. He said that the ECP has already started training of its officers across the country on delimitation.

He said that the commission has several times drawn attentions of departments concerned in this regard.

Replying to a question, he appreciated the role of parliament for giving more autonomy to the ECP with regard to financial matters while the ECP will have also powers to form its rules with the feedback of stakeholders and general public.

He said that the commission has become more accountable before general public, civil society and media. He added the commission will present reports frequently to the parliament besides making public its several other things.

He said that now polling staff will work under the full control of the commission. He added the commission has four partners included media, civil society, donors and political parties.

Earlier, officials of ECP briefed the representatives of print and electronic media in a day-long media workshop arranged by the commission for them on laws, functioning and other aspects of the ECP besides preparation of general elections-2018.

Additional Secretary (Admin) ECP Dr Akhtar Nazir apprised about procurement of election material, Additional Secretary Training Zafar Iqbal informed about Elections Act-2017, Director General Elections Yousaf Khattak talked about conduct of elections and Director General Information Technology briefed the media persons on use of IT by the commission.