- Devises clear guidelines for submitting requests for vote recount after polls
- CEC issues directive to all ROs for secure delivery of Form 45
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has set up an Election City in its premises, equipped with the latest technology to swiftly disseminate election results of 855 constituencies to the media.
Director of Information Technology, Muhammad Khizer Aziz while briefing media on Wednesday said that a comprehensive strategy was in place to receive election results via WhatsApp, email, and fax.
He informed that the ECP had also set up an alternative website to ensure uninterrupted dissemination of results in case of any disruptions.
Election Management System (EMS) will operate if internet connectivity is unavailable, with satellite communication had also been deployed in some areas facing connectivity issues.
Muhammad Khizer Aziz said that the EMS comprises two components adding that the initial capture of results through photos (of results) by the Presiding Officer, followed by the swift transmission to the respective Returning Officer to Form-45 for onward transmission to ECP and media.
In case of connectivity issues, the results would be compiled threw off line modules.
Presiding officers in all constituencies have been instructed to photograph Form 45 and send it to their respective Returning Officers.
The Returning Officers will then compile the results on Form-47 and share them with the media.
He said that media walls had been installed at each Returning Officer’s (RO) office to share results, while five media walls had been set up in the ECP Election City to offer continuous updates on the results of one national and four provincial assemblies.
SOPs for vote recount petitions
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has devised clear guidelines for submitting petitions requesting a recount of votes in the upcoming elections. These Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aim to streamline the process and ensure transparency and fairness in addressing recount requests.
ECP Secretariat will be open on February 10th and 11th, 2024, from 8:30am to 4:30pm to receive recount petitions from applicants or candidates. Hearings will also be held on these dates.
Petitions must be submitted in 9 copies: one original and eight photocopies with complete details and date of filing.
A soft copy of the petition in PDF format along with any supporting documents in a USB drive must be attached to the application.
Petitioners must include their identity card copy, valid current address, and contact number in the application.
Complete details and address of the defendants (usually the winning candidate or party) must be provided.
If an advocate is representing the petitioner, a letter of attorney, advocate’s card, and additional contact numbers are required.
Presentation: All applications need to be properly indexed, page-numbered, and flagged for easy reference.
Only applications received during the designated dates and times will be scheduled for hearings.
These SOPs provide clear instructions for submitting recount petitions, ensuring a standardized and organized process. This helps prevent confusion and facilitates timely review of applications by the ECP. Transparency in the recount process is crucial for maintaining public trust in the electoral system, and these guidelines contribute to achieving that goal.
It is important to note that these SOPs only cover the initial submission of petitions. The ECP will likely release further information regarding the hearing process and decision-making criteria in the coming days.
CEC emphasizes secure delivery of form 45
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has issued a directive to all returning officers, emphasizing the secure delivery of Form 45, a crucial document in Pakistan’s election process.
The Chief Election Commissioner directed returning officers to ensure the delivery of Form 45, which records the vote count at each polling station.
The form will be handed over to the returning officer by the presiding officer.
Before handing over the form, the presiding officer must obtain signatures from themselves and polling agents, ensuring transparency and verification of the recorded results.
As an added transparency measure, the presiding officer will also display the completed Form 45 outside the polling station before submitting it.
The Chief Election Commissioner emphasized the importance of securely transporting the form to the returning officer, highlighting its critical role in maintaining the integrity of the elections.
Form 45 plays a vital role in ensuring the accuracy and transparency of election results. This directive from the Chief Election Commissioner reaffirms the commitment to free and fair elections by addressing potential concerns about tampering or manipulation of vote counts. The emphasis on transparency measures like signature verification and public display further bolsters public trust in the electoral process.
It is important to note that this directive comes amidst heightened scrutiny and public interest in the upcoming general elections. This proactive approach by the Election Commission could contribute to a more credible and accepted election outcome.
