ECP begins training of 0.7m election officials

ISLAMABAD: In the run up to the largest ever electoral exercise this year, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Monday began massive training of 0.7 million polling officials, to be followed by training of another 0.178 million presiding officers and assistant presiding officers.

The drill will continue simultaneously in the four provinces, Fata and the federal capital till May 12, while in the last phase, 0.178 million polling officials would be imparted training from June 25 and conclude within a month on July 15.

The initial phase of training had started on March 05 this year during which 84 lead trainers were given training at provincial level, who then trained 3,000 master trainers till April 22. Now, these master trainers began their duty.

In the last phase, district returning officers and returning officers will get training regarding election-related matters. In a statement, the Election Commission called on all Pakistanis, who had not so far got registered themselves as voters and related information not corrected, should immediately visit the nearest display centre of district election commission office and get entered as voters and, if needed, make corrections in the election data.

The Election Commission said that related forms were available on the ECP website, at display centres or respective district election commission offices. Visitors have been directed to attach a copy of their CNIC and while submitting the form, they should bring along their original identity card.

Form 15 is for registration and transfer of vote, while form 16 is for deletion of vote and making objections, and for corrections, form 17 is to be submitted to the relevant display centre or district election commission.