Election training: CS orders action against absent polling staff

LAHORE: Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman on Monday issued instructions to all the deputy commissioners to take action against the polling staff who are absent during training.

He issued these instructions during a meeting to review the arrangements for the conduct of general elections, at the Civil Secretariat. Provincial Election Commissioner Aijaz Anwer Chohan, IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar, the secretaries of home, local government departments, officers of provincial election commission and officials concerned attended the meeting while all the divisional commissioners, RPOs, deputy commissioners and DPOs participated through a video link. The chief secretary directed that the attendance of the staff during the training be ensured and strict action be taken against the absent officials. He mentioned that holding free, fair and transparent elections was an important national responsibility. He said that the requisite funds were provided; therefore, no shortcoming in the polls arrangements would be acceptable. He said that transport and security plans are a very important part of election arrangements, adding that these two components should be given special attention. He said that the deputy commissioners should review the preparations for the elections on a daily basis. The provincial election commissioner said that all district returning officers should supervise the process of preparation of polling bags and ensure the provision of all basic facilities at the polling stations. He said that the control rooms should be made more functional for addressing the complaints. He stressed that equal opportunities must be provided to all stakeholders in the election process without discrimination. He said that strict action should be taken against those who violate the election code of conduct. He also issued instructions regarding the delivery of election materials and ballot papers. Local Government Secretary Ahmed Javed Qazi briefed the meeting that under Section 144, firing in the air, and display of weapons would be banned from February 1 to 12. He said that the arrangements for installing CCTV cameras at the highly sensitive polling stations were completed. Army, Rangers and police personnel would carry out a flag march on February 5 and 7, he concluded.

Level-1 Coaching Certification Course begins

A six-day Level-1 Coaching Certification Course began under the auspices of Sports and Youth Affairs Department Punjab at ISSP at Punjab Stadium on Monday.

Around 35 coaches from different sports federations and associations, including a blind coach from Multan M Jamal also participated in the course. Principal ISSP Chand Parveen and Chief Instructor Hafeez Bhatti, Instructors Shaista Qaiser, Sajid Ali and Malik Nasir were also present on this occasion. On the first day, Dr Naseebullah Khan delivered a lecture on the topic of ‘Overview of Key Concepts of Sports Science’. Assistant Prof Orthopaedic, JHL Dr Amir Sohail and Aqib Mehmood taught the coaches about the Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Kinesiology (Skeletal, Muscular and Respiratory System) while nutrition expert Sara Farooqi delivered an insightful lecture on the subject of Fundamentals of Nutrition and Performance.