The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) made a significant announcement on Monday, revealing the completion of the printing process for a staggering 260 million ballot papers, covering all 859 constituencies across the nation.
This included the timely reprinting of specific ballot papers for select constituencies, as mandated by the apex court.
Carried out in three government-led printing institutes, the extensive task now transitions to the delivery phase, ensuring distribution to the relevant Returning Officers (ROs) and District Returning Officers (DROs) nationwide by the end of Monday.
In comparison to the 2018 general election, where 220 million ballot papers were printed with 800 tonnes of special security paper, the 2024 election witnessed a substantial increase with 260 million ballot papers requiring 2,170 tonnes of paper.
The spokesperson attributed this rise primarily to a significant surge in the number of candidates, surpassing the figures from the 2018 elections by one-and-a-half times.
Throughout the printing process, the ECP encountered numerous challenges, including legal disputes and the complexity of managing a higher number of candidates.
Despite these hurdles, the commission asserted its commitment and successfully completed the printing of the extensive volume of ballot papers within the stipulated timeframe.
Meanwhile, the Balochistan Election Commission reported the completion of ballot paper deliveries to DROs and ROs across all districts in the province.
Notably, transportation methods varied, with some areas receiving ballot papers via land routes, while others relied on C130 aircraft and helicopters for swift delivery in Gawadar, Panjgur, Ketch, Kahran, and Washak districts.
