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ECP to ‘announce’ much-awaited election schedule on Dec 17

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  • ECP organised training sessions for the officers.
  • Sources pointed out that 40 training sittings have been scheduled.
  • ECP imposed ban on transfers, postings of deputy commissioners.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will announce the election schedule on December 17 (Sunday) and nomination papers will be submitted on the next day of the schedule’s announcement, The News quoted sources as saying on Thursday.

As per the publication, the electoral watchdog will take 54 days to complete the process to finally hold balloting for the provincial and national assemblies on February 8, 2024.

Under Article 220 of the Constitution, the federal and provincial governments would be bound to assist the ECP in conducting the elections after the announcement of the schedule.

The Constitution provides under “Executive authorities to assist Commission, etc.” Article 220 of the Constitution that reads: “It shall be the duty of all executive authorities in the Federation and in the provinces to assist the Commissioner and the Election Commission in the discharge of his or their functions.”

The election body has sped up its preparations for the polls. The chief election commissioner (CEC), whose engagements have been increased on several counts, has set up a hotline in his office to maintain contact with all offices of the commission. Training for the district returning officers and returning officers started on December 13, and it would last till December 16. ECP organised training sessions for the officers with the assistance of the authorities concerned, sources said.

The officers will be imparted the best possible training so that they can satisfactorily perform their duties. They would be also briefed about the most sophisticated communication system that has been put in place to undertake the election duties. Sources pointed out that 40 training sittings have been scheduled for imparting all-round training to the officers.

The commission is providing training to 142 district returning officers and 859 returning officers. In the meanwhile, the commission sources said the ECP was fully prepared to hold free, fair and transparent elections in the country and no doubt should be left to hold polls according to the announced date.

The ECP also imposed a ban on transfers and postings of deputy commissioners throughout the country. The Establishment Division has been informed about it, the sources added.

Meanwhile, the ECP has drawn the attention of the members of parliament and provincial assemblies, Sindh and Balochistan to submit to the ECP by December 31, 2023, yearly statements of assets and liabilities including their spouse and dependent children as on the preceding 30th day of June on Form-B for the financial years 2022-2023 being a mandatory requirement under Section 137 of the Elections Act, 2017.

A statement issued by the Media Coordination and Outreach Wing of the ECP, the prescribed Form-B along with instructions/guidelines prepared in this regard can be obtained free of cost from the ECP Secretariat, Islamabad, offices of provincial election commissioners of respective province, Senate Secretariat, National Assembly Secretariat and secretariats of concerned provincial assemblies. Moreover, Form-B can also be downloaded from the ECP’s website i.e. www.ecp.gov.pk.

It may be pointed out that presently, only the Senate of Pakistan is in existence while the National Assembly and four provincial legislatures will come into being after the February 8 general elections.

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PTI suggests resuming talks with government over judicial commission issue.

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Barrister Gohar, Chairman of the PTI, has claimed that the party’s founder has suspended negotiations, emphasizing that the government should declare the commission within seven days.

He emphasized the PTI’s openness to rethink if the government makes headway and establishes the commission.

Barrister Gohar told the reporters, “Seven days were enough to announce the commission.” We are ready to reconsider, but the government must first announce the commission.”

He stated that the PTI approached the negotiations with an open mind. “The PTI founder has halted the negotiations. “The government had eight laws on their agenda, while we only had two demands,” he stated.

The PTI chairman went on to say that even after seven days, no progress had been made in forming the commission. He encouraged the government to reconsider the decision and proceed with the announcement.

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PTI will declare February 8 to be “Black Day,” sparking protests across the country.

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According to reports, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intends to hold rallies nationwide on Wednesday in support of its decision to declare February 8, the one-year anniversary of the general elections, a black day.

According to media sources, PTI founder Imran Khan has instructed all party lawmakers—including MPAs and MNAs—to plan and take part in demonstrations in their local communities on February 8 in order to draw attention to their complaints and issues.

In a recent meeting with legal advisors on Wednesday, Imran Khan expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the party’s Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram. The meeting emphasized the importance of party discipline and gave stern directives to abstain from any criticism of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of the JUI-F.

It has also been suggested that the PTI engage opposition leaders in the demonstrations in order to win their support.

Party insiders revealed that the founder has urged leaders to ensure effective coordination and mobilised efforts in preparation for February 8.

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In 13 cases involving the D-Chowk demonstration, Bushra Bibi granted temporary release until February 7.

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Bushra Bibi, the wife of the PTI chairman, was granted temporary release by the Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in 13 counts pertaining to the November 26 D-Chowk protest. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra ordered the police to produce all pertinent documentation by February 7 and granted bail against surety bonds of Rs. 5,000 apiece.

Additionally, Bushra Bibi was given temporary release until February 7 in the Rangers’ accident case. During the hearing, Judge Tahir Abbas Supra expressed disappointment over the behavior of the defense counsel on two occasions. Addressing the lawyers, he remarked, “You demand VIP protocol everywhere, but this is not possible. Prepare your files properly before coming to court.”

Three cases at the Secretariat Police Station, two each at the Margalla, Karachi Company, and Ramna Police Stations, and one each at the Tarnol, Kohsar, Aabpara, and Khanna Police Stations are among the numerous charges against Bushra Bibi.

In addition, the judge chastised the defense team for requesting that Bushra Bibi sign and thumbprint blank documents. He said, “The accused must sign and thumbprint the court orders, not blank sheets.”

Bushra Bibi also went to the Islamabad High Court to have her biometrics verified in relation to her appeal to be exonerated in the Toshakhana-II case. On Monday, Bushra Bibi and the PTI chairman submitted their acquittal petitions. After finishing the biometric procedure, she departed right away.

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