ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission has introduced an online facility center to streamline the process of checking nomination papers for the upcoming general elections.
The spokesperson of the Election Commission on Monday revealed that the online facility center, located in the Election Commission Secretariat, is operational 24 hours a day, supported by NADRA, NAB, FIA, FBR, and the State Bank. Information is promptly relayed to the relevant institutions for necessary actions.
The Election Commission spokesperson added that directives have been issued to the Secretary of Power Division and Secretary of Petroleum Division to obtain lists of candidates from the returning officers. Similarly, the Secretary of National Telecommunication and Secretary of Housing have been instructed to collect candidate lists from returning officers. Chief Secretaries of the four provinces and the Chairman of CDA have also received orders to procure candidate lists from Returning Officers.
Furthermore, the Election Commission spokesperson emphasized that defaulting candidates should approach the Returning Officer for document verification between December 25 and December 30, following the release of the candidate list. All federal and provincial government institutions are urged to communicate directly with the immediate returning officers.
In conjunction with these developments, the Election Commission has issued guidelines for election candidates’ banners participating in the general elections. The guidelines prohibit the posting and distribution of posters, handbills, pamphlets, leaflets, banners, or portraits exceeding the specified sizes set by the Election Commission.
According to the guidelines, advertising campaign posters should measure 18 inches in length and not exceed 23 inches in width. Hand pamphlets and leaflets should be 9 inches long and 6 inches wide, while banners should be 3 feet long and no more than 9 inches wide. Portraits are allowed to be 2 feet long and 3 feet wide. The guidelines also mandate the inclusion of the publisher’s name and address on posters, handbills, pamphlets, booklets, banners, and portraits.
