ECP asks KP govt not to set up parallel control room

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has shown serious concern over establishment of a ‘parallel’ control room by the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for consolidation of local government election results.
Through a letter the Secretary ECP Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad asked the Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to issue necessary directions to the quarters concerned not to establish any control room forthwith as such control room already existed at the provincial election commissioner (PEC) office and the Election Commission Secretariat here.
“We have contacted the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on telephone as well and they have been plainly told to pack the control room up, as it is the mandate of the Election Commission to manage and consolidate results,” a senior ECP official said while talking to The News here on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has again written to the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to make sure female voters are not barred in any area from taking part in polling on June 30.
The electoral body had already issued a statement the other day, expressing concern over some media reports that in certain constituencies, females could be stopped from casting their votes.
Meanwhile, on having received reports, the district returning officer (DRO) had a meeting with elders of Hangu and politicians as well, who held out an assurance to him that females would not be barred from voting. In this context, he intimated the Election Commission secretariat in writing.
In a letter to the Secretary ECP, the DRO Hangu stated that so far no complaint had been received with regard to debarring women from their right of franchise and that the District Administration had kept vigil on all such illegal plans.
Moreover, the returning officers have also been directed to take immediate action against all such elements, hindering females from the right of vote, a statement issued by the Election Commission said.
It is worthwhile to mention here that the Election Commission had already asked the provincial government and all DROs to monitor the scenario closely and stem any such move in shape of written or verbal agreement, speeches, announcements or any other such instigation which could create the sense of deprivation, discouraging women from their fundamental right of franchise.
The Election Commission has issued details about 11154 polling stations, of which 2858 have been declared most sensitive in seven divisions.
In Peshawar Division, 945 polling stations are most sensitive, 861 sensitive while 340 are normal as total number of polling stations is 2146.
In Kohat Division, 131 polling stations are most sensitive, 272 are sensitive while 549 are normal and total number of polling stations here is 952.
In Bannu Division, most sensitive polling stations are 209, 376 are sensitive while 259 are normal and total number of polling stations is 844.
In Hazara Division, sensitive polling stations are 350, 894 are sensitive while 942 are normal and total number of polling stations here is 2186.
In Dera Ismail Khan Division, most sensitive polling stations are 363, 274 are sensitive while 190 are normal and total number of polling stations is 827.
In Malakand Division, most sensitive polling stations are 404, 698 are sensitive while 1388 are normal and total number of polling stations is 2490.
In Mardan Division, most sensitive polling stations are 456, 696 are sensitive while 557 polling stations are normal and total number of polling stations is 1709.
The Election Commission received a letter from the DRO/Deputy Commissioner, Nowshera wherein he has stated that in Union Council Balu the elders of the area have decided to debar women from casting their votes in the local government election.
The Election Commission has taken a serious view of this act and asked Amjad Ali Khan, Chief Secretary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to personally see the matter and ensure that women are, in no case, debarred from casting their votes.