ECP Initiates Verification of Election Forms for Transparency

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken a significant step towards ensuring the integrity of the electoral process by launching a thorough verification of all election forms available on its official website. This includes essential documents such as Form 45 and Form 46, which play a crucial role in the transparency of elections. The Chief Election Commissioner, Sikandar Sultan Raja, approved this verification process, and an official notification was released on Thursday to outline the details.

In the notification, the ECP announced the formation of dedicated teams of officers tasked with verifying various election forms, specifically Forms 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49, across the nation. These officers are responsible for confirming the authenticity and accuracy of the forms related to both the general elections and any subsequent by-elections. The notification also highlighted the leadership roles of key officers in this verification effort. Muhammad Nasir Khan will lead the team focused on National Assembly constituencies, while Kashif Abbas will supervise the verification of forms from provincial assemblies. Waqas Malik will serve as the supervisor, and Nadeem Haider will oversee the entire verification process.

The verification teams will meticulously check the uploaded Forms 45 and 46 against the records from polling stations to ensure their correctness. They are also instructed to identify any forms that are missing or difficult to read, with a deadline set to complete this task within seven days. This proactive approach by the ECP aims to bolster public confidence in the electoral process.

In a related development, the ECP has postponed the local body elections in Islamabad, which were originally scheduled for September 29. The decision to delay these elections comes after the approval of the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2024, by Parliament. This amendment increases the number of wards in Islamabad’s union councils, which is expected to enhance local governance.

Furthermore, the ECP has been scrutinizing various political parties for not meeting the constitutional requirement of allocating 5% of election tickets to women. A four-member bench, led by ECP member Nisar Durrani, conducted a hearing to address this pressing issue. During the session, the ECP reviewed ticket allocation data from several parties. For instance, the lawyer representing BNP Mengal reported that the party had nominated 27 candidates for the provincial assembly, with only two being women, and none of the 11 candidates for the National Assembly were women.

This verification process and the scrutiny of political parties highlight the ECP's commitment to ensuring fair representation and transparency in the electoral process. As citizens, it is essential to stay informed and engaged in these developments, as they directly impact the democratic fabric of the nation. The steps taken by the ECP not only aim to uphold the integrity of elections but also encourage political parties to be more inclusive in their candidate selection, ultimately fostering a more representative democracy.