ECP launches annual performance, post election review report

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday launched its first annual performance report and post-election review report on General Elections-2018.

Presenting a report, Secretary ECP Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad said that the report had been dispatched to the federal and provincial governments.

He said that best arrangements were made by the commission in general election-2018 and the ECP had increased the number of polling stations while new technology of Result Management System (RMS) and Result Transmission System (RTS) was introduced.

He said that CCTV cameras were installed in 17,000 polling stations while a comprehensive monitoring mechanism was adopted with having proper training of ECP staff. He added new rules were made for general elections-2018 while new wings were made within ECP besides working on voters lists.

He said that the commission had no power to declare any political party as terrorist.

Director Elections ECP Nadeem Qasim said that all aspects of general elections- 2018 were part of the report including constituencies, electoral rolls, enlistment of political parties, issuance of election symbols etc..

He said that Senate election and Presidential election was also part of this report besides local government elections and by-elections. He added post-election review was also part of this report.

As many as 47 recommendations had been presented by ECP in its 210 page report in order to improve election process of the country.

The ECP recommended the federal government to issue directions to all provincial governments for provision of missing facilities in all public buildings to be used as polling stations.

The report recommended that the federal government may issue direction to National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for increasing registration of women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), minorities and transgender persons by removing existing challenges and barriers.

It also suggested that the directions may also be issued to authorities concerned to simplify processes for PWDs to obtain disability certificate and issuance of national identity card with disability logo by NADRA.

It also recommended that the federal government may take immediate steps for official publication of census report so that the delimitation of local government elections could be carried out timely.

The report suggested that necessary amendment may be made in the Elections Act, 2017 to provide that a party ticket once submitted with the Returning Officer in favour of a candidates on general seat should not be re-called, withdrawn or replaced.

The ECP in its report suggested that experienced officers may be appointed as Returning Officers and they may be exempted from their office work with effect from the issuance of election programme till consolidation of results for smooth completion of electoral activities.

It recommended that to encourage polling staff especially females, it may be ensured that they should be assigned duties nearest to their residence with increased financial incentives while targeted awareness and motivational campaign may also be carried out for female polling staff.

The report recommended that the federal government may direct the designated presses to upgrade their printing machinery for printing of ballot papers in future general elections.

The reports also recommended that the introduction of new technology should not be mandatory under the law until it becomes foolproof and practicable in the field.

It recommended that the Election Tribunals may be appointed from sitting Judges of the High Courts only.

It suggested that the federal and provincial governments may take steps to increase women representation in the law enforcement agencies to minimize deficiency of female security personnel.