Islamabad : Jan 16 ; As general elections reach closer , the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has barred provincial election commissioners , district returning officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) from making changes of the symbols allotted to the candidates.
In its orders issued on Tuesday, ECP said since the elections 2024 are just a few days away any changes in the alloted symbols can disrupt the polling schedule and subsequently result in delay in holding elections 2024 on February 8.
The ECP orders read as ” The provincial election commissioners , district returning officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) are advised to refrain from making changes in the alloted symbols for general elections as any such activities can hamper ECP’s efforts for holding General elections 2024 in time”. It further said ” In case of any urgency for any change in allotted symbols , the provincial election commissioners, district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs) are advised to approach to ECP in Islamabad for a final decision”.
ECP is fighting a multi dimensional fight to hold general elections on the scheduled date.Its facing hurdles from the Senate in holding General elections 2024 in time. Now some irritants are being created from its own system . Its appointed DROs and ROs are changing allotted symbols making it difficult for ECP to make arrangements like printing of ballot papers and other related materials .
One can hope that ECP ‘s January 16 orders to provincial commissioners , DROs and ROs will stop irritants and help it hold general elections 2024 in time..Meanwhile , Chief Election Commissioner (CEC ) Sikander Sultan Raja, has accepted resignation of Umar Hameed as ECP secretary and appointed Syed Asif as his successor. ECP has also made several other important transfers to put its house in order ahead of general elections 2024.