New delimitations possible after census 2017 results notification: ECP

• Says govt will complete its tenure on June 5 next year; general elections will take place in July 2018

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Secretary Babar Yaqoob said on Tuesday that after holding the new census, it is not possible to conduct polls on the old constituencies.

In a media briefing, Yaqoob said the ECP is worried about the delimitation of constituencies in light of the new census. He said that it will not be possible for the ECP to complete its work on review of new electoral rolls and new delimitations in case of delay in publishing of results and providing other relevant details of national census 2017.

He said that holding of general elections was not possible without new delimitations, as legally and constitutionally there are hurdles in holding next elections on existing delimitations.

He added that existing seats have no legal and constitutional status to have an election on them after national census 2017, adding notification of results of national census 2017 was necessary for this activity.

Expressing his concerns over the delay in publishing of results and providing other relevant details of national census 2017, the secretary said that the commission has in-writing requested the law secretary to complete their work, so that ECP may fulfil its constitutional responsibilities.

He said that the ECP was ready for new delimitations under the new law but it depends on sharing of national census 2017 results. He said that the ECP has already started training of its officers across the country on delimitation. He said that the commission has several times drawn the attention of departments concerned in this regard.

Replying to a question, he appreciated the role of parliament for giving more autonomy to the ECP with regard to financial matters, while the ECP will also have powers to form its rules with the feedback of stakeholders and the general public. He added that the commission has become more accountable to the general public, civil society and media.

He added the commission has four partners: media, civil society, donors and political parties.

Earlier, officials of ECP briefed the representatives of print and electronic media in a day-long media workshop arranged by the commission for them on laws, functioning and other aspects of the ECP besides preparation of general elections-2018.

The incumbent government will complete its tenure on June 5 next year and general election will take place in the following month of July, ECP officials said.

Officials revealed that to ensure transparency, watermark papers will be used. Moreover, independent Returning Officers will also be hired for the polling.

Fee structure for nomination papers has also been revised. National Assembly candidates will now have to pay Rs30,000, whereas legislators contesting for Senate and provincial assemblies will have to pay RS20,000.

There has also been a limit set for candidate to spend on their election campaign. Upper house candidates will be allowed to spend Rs4 million, candidates contesting for provincial assemblies will be allowed to spend Rs2 million, and candidates for Senate will be allowed to spend Rs1.5 million.

ECP Additional Secretary (Admin) Dr Akhtar Nazir apprised about procurement of election material, Additional Secretary Training Zafar Iqbal informed about Elections Act 2017, Elections DG Yousaf Khattak talked about the conduct of elections and IT DG briefed the media persons on use of IT by the commission.