ELECTION commission of Pakistan (ECP) conducts the elections along with the help of provincial governments. Majority of the polling staff is drawn from the local provincial employees who are working in the education sector, revenue department, and law enforcement agencies. There is a chance of corruption and nepotism as the returning officers, polling staff and local enforcement officials are posted in their own districts, the probability maybe less or more but it exists.
Therefore, the officials should not be posted in their own districts. Also, the polling officers in charge of the booth should not be allowed to interact to a voter during the break intervals and the police shouldn’t be allowed to interact other than for security purposes. After the voting is done, the results should be sealed into an envelope and should be sent forward to the returning officers. The presiding officers should compile and announce the results in the presence of the contesting candidates. I believe, the aforementioned strategies can prove to be effective in conduction of fair elections. Thus, I request the government to formulate immediate measures to prevent any kind of rigging in the upcoming elections.
RAJA SHAFAATULLAH
Islamabad
