LAHORE: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has initiated the process of issuing postal ballot papers for the 2024 general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.
As per the ECP, eligible individuals are required to complete the postal ballot casting procedure by January 22. The application form for the postal ballot can be downloaded from the official website.
Upon receiving the postal ballot, voters are to submit their votes to the District Returning Officer (DRO) within the specified timeframe. The ECP is actively engaged in comprehensive preparations to ensure seamless arrangements across the country.
In an effort to guarantee robust security measures during the elections, the ECP has released its “Code of Conduct for Security Personnel,” instructing them to remain impartial while on election duty.
The guidelines from the ECP, excluding the Armed Forces and Civil Armed Forces, mandate Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to carry out their duties in accordance with the law and within the defined scope of authority assigned to the police.
Security personnel responsible for securing the printing and transportation of ballot papers, along with the polling bags, will operate under Article 220 of the Constitution of Pakistan, Section 5 in conjunction with Section 193 of the Election Act, 2017.
Emphasizing the need for coordination between security personnel, DROs, returning officers (ROs), and presiding officers (POs), the electoral body stresses the imperative for LEAs to maintain impartiality and neutrality throughout the election process. Security personnel are cautioned against preventing voters from exercising their right to cast their votes, underscoring the importance of ensuring a peaceful and transparent polling procedure.
