Election Commission held a consultative meeting with a delegation of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA)
Today, the Election Commission held a consultative meeting with a delegation of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA). The meeting was chaired by Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja. Members Election Commission, Secretary ECP and other senior officers also attended the meeting.
From the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Ms. Fehmida Marza, Dr. Safdar Ali Abbasi, Mr. Kashif Nazamani, and Mr. Ibn Muhammad participated, while Mr. Sardar Abdul Rahim and Mr. Irfanullah Khan Marwat attended the meeting via video link.
The delegation confirmed their full support for the Election Commission’s new delimitation plan and highlighted that delimitation is the foundation of transparent elections. Therefore, the delimitation process should be completed according to the new census, and elections should be held after the new delimitation. They also suggested that the electoral lists should also be revised so that the voter inclusion, removal, and accuracy can be ensured in the Electoral Rolls.
Moreover, the delegation urged that all provincial officers’ transfers should be made in accordance with the Election Commission’s directives. Despite, writing letters to the Caretaker Chief Ministers by Chief Election Commissioner the transfer and postings are not being carried out.
They also recommended to appoint impartial Returning Officers, and if possible District Election Commissioners and Officers from Federal Services may be appointed as Returning Officers. After completing all the aforementioned arrangements, the Election Schedule should be announced.
The delegation insisted that the Election Commission must work rigorously on the Action Plan it has prepared and suspend all Municipal Administrations until General Elections and appoint administrators to ensure transparency in the elections.
The Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner stated that conducting transparent elections under the constitution and the law is the responsibility of the Election Commission. He acknowledged the recommendations of GDA, and added that the Election Commission will consider these suggestions carefully and make decisions in accordance with the constitution and the law. He also assured that the Election Commission will ensure transparency in the delimitation process.
The Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner informed the delegation that the Election Commission has called an important meeting today with other political parties, taking consultations and their feedback into account, the Election Commission will announce the election schedule after further reducing the duration of the delimitation process.
Editor: Raja Kamran