RCB, CCB elections to be held on April 25

Rawalpindi
For 17 long years, the civilian population of the cantonment boards remained unrepresented despite paying taxes, however, now the Cantonment Board elections of Rawalpindi and Chaklala are scheduled to take place on April 25.
As per directions of the Supreme Court, the Election Commission of Pakistan has issued the schedule for election to fill the general seats in wards of Cantonment Boards, enabling the electors of such wards to elect their representatives from their respective wards which are 10 in each for RCB and CCB.
According to the notification issued by ECP, notice for invitation of nomination papers were issued by the Returning Officers on March 23. Similarly, nomination papers would be received by Returning Officers from March 29 to March 31. While the Boards would make publication of notice of all the nomination papers received on April 1. Scrutiny of nomination papers and publication of names of validly nominated candidates would be held on 2nd and 4th April while last date for filing of appeal against acceptance/rejection of nomination papers would be 6th April. Last date for disposal of appeals is April 9 and withdrawal of candidature could be made on April 10.
Symbols for contesting candidates would be allotted on April 11 and list would be published in this regard.
Election Commission of Pakistan has prohibited the government and executive authorities to use their sources and influences in favour of any candidate during elections of the Boards with the purpose of ensuring conduction of polls in honest, fair way and in accordance with law as well as to ensure that the corrupt practices are guarded against.
According to the notification issued by ECP, any holder of public office who is found to have violated any provision of the applicable election law or the instructions issued by Election Commission would be proceeded against as mandated in law.
In connection with the conduction of polls on April 25, RCB has formed an Election Cell in the conference room of the Board, headed by Qaisar Mahmood.
Giving information about the elections, Qaisar Mahmood said that till the start of election process, over 80 intending people have filed their nomination papers in 10 wards of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board.
Out of the 80 intending people, there are names of ex-councilors of RCB who have filed their nomination papers with the election cell of RCB. They include, Haji Zafar Iqbal, Hafiz Hussein Ahmed, Haji Rafiq, Raja Jahandad etc.
According to RCB spokesman Raja Rizwan over 259,571 voters would use their right of franchise to elect their representatives in their respective wards.
In the meantime, hectic election activity has started in wards of Rawalpindi and the intending candidates have started campaign in their respective wards in order to gain support of the voters.
Every candidate have started to approach the citizens, making tall promises and assurances of resolving basic issues pertaining to their constituencies. The main stalwarts like the ex-councilors have also formed election offices in their wards to work on election campaign and gather as much as strength of people.
Though the elections would be held on non party basis, yet major political forces of the country including PML-N, PPP, PTI and JI are fielding their candidates in the coming elections of Cantonment Boards.