No new jobs, projects for fair elections: ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday put a temporary ban on recruitment of public servants in the federal, provincial and local government institutions in view of upcoming general elections.According to the statement issued by the ECP, all the authorities concerned have been made aware of the hiring freeze, as the step seeks to ensure transparency of the general elections. The move aims at discouraging any pre-poll rigging by using government jobs as incentive.

However, it clarified that there would be no ban on the hiring by federal and provincial public service commissions. Moreover, the implementation of all the development schemes, which have been approved after April 1, will also be put to a halt. There will also be a ban on putting plaques of politicians at schools, hospitals and roads.

“This step has been taken to ensure that the funds released for ongoing development projects are not used for other schemes,” the statement said.

The Election Commission has expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice of Pakistan and chief justices of high courts asall lists of judicial officers for appointment as district returning officers, returning officers and assistant returning officers for general elections have been provided to the ECP.

The ECP has stepped up its preparations for the 2018 general elections with less than two months remaining in the tenure of the incumbent government. Questions have already been raised over the commission's delimitation exercise following the recently held census, despite the ECP warning against any controversy over it.

A day earlier, the electoral body announced that April 24 is the last date, after which any change to the voters details or the constituency will not be possible. According to the ECP, the voters can confirm their registration and acquire details of their constituency on mobile phones by sending a text message on 8300.