ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to depute Pakistan Army inside and outside polling stations for conducting free, fair and transparent by-elections in Lodhran’s NA-154 on December 23.
The decision was taken in view of the prevailing law and order situation and on the requests made by the Returning Officer, endorsed by District Returning Officer and the Provincial Election Commissioner, Punjab for holding the polls under proper security provided by Pakistan Army, said spokesman of the ECP talking to media.
Any member of Armed forces who is present or deployed under this order shall exercise powers under section 4 & 5 of Anti-Terrorism Act (1997) as amended, for the entire duration of deployment, he added.
Pakistan Army Personnel will be deployed one day before the day of poll on every polling station of the said constituency, he said.
Pakistan Army personnel (deployed inside and outside) of a polling station while performing their security duties are supposed to first report to the Presiding Officer any irregularity/malpractice, they observe inside or outside the, polling stations, spokesman informed.
In case, the Presiding Officer does not act to prevent the commission or’ any reported irregularity/malpractice, the security staff will immediately bring the matter to the notice of the designated Pakistan Army officer in-charge of an area of the said constituency for action in light of the powers delegated to him under this notification, he added.
“The Election Commission under section 86-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1976 (LXXXV of 1976), has also authorized each designated officer in-charge of Pakistan Army (Gazetted as well as Junior Commissioned Officer) of an area, deployed for providing security inside and outside polling stations shall exercise powers of’ Magistrate First Class on the polling day in respect of offence punishable under sections’80, 82A,83, 84,85,86 and 87 of the aforesaid Act and to take cognizance of any such offence under any of the clauses of sub-section(1), of section 190 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and to try any such offence in a summary way in accordance with the provisions of the said Code, relating to summary trials” ,he said.
By-elections in NA-218 on January 18
Meanwhile, the ECP has decided to hold by-elections in NA-218 (Matiari-cum- Haiderabad) on January 18, 2016.
The seat was vacated due to the death of President of Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians Makhdoom Amin Faheem.
According to spokesman of ECP, the nomination process is underway and now candidates can file their appeals to the tribunals against the decisions of the returning officers till December 21 and tribunals would decide on their appeals till December 23, he said.
The candidates can withdraw their nomination papers until December 28 and on the next day the final list of candidates will be published, he added.
Polling will be held on January 18.
Source: APP/DND
