Secretary EC calls on Gilani

Secretary Election Commission called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani here Tuesday and apprised him on the preparation of reforms being undertaken by the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure fair, transparent and credible elections in the country.
He mentioned the Election Commission of Pakistan Strategic Plan 2010-14 which has been prepared in consultation with all the stakeholders including all political parties, civil society and media. He informed the prime minister that the Computerised Electoral Rolls are being prepared in collaboration with Nadra and current door to door verification throughout Pakistan is underway until September 2011, and that final Computerised Electoral Rolls will be ready by April 2012.
Secretary Election Commission thanked the Prime Minister for extending full support to make Election Commission of Pakistan autonomous, independence and also to implement reforms agenda. Regarding the Local Bodies Elections, the Secretary informed the prime minister that after the 18 Amendment, holding of Local Bodies Elections were also the responsibility of Election Commission of Pakistan and the Provincial Governments are being asked to make necessary legislation in this regard so that elections could be held accordingly.
The prime minister appreciated the efforts being made by the Election Commission of Pakistan under the guidance of Chief Election Commissioner former Justice Hamid Ali Mirza in order to complete the reforms agenda. He also directed that instructions should be issued to all the Ministries/Divisions to prepare a strategic plan for five years on the pattern of election Commission of Pakistan so that all Ministries have goals/objectives and sense of direction.
In terms of good governance, the prime minister observed that there was a need to create a mechanism at Prime Minister's Secretariat to remove the disconnect between the national institutions of the state so they sit together and find out solutions pertaining to security, strategic issues and good governance. The prime minister said local bodies' elections may be held in 2012 after the finalisation of Computerised electoral rolls in April 2012.-PR