ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has expressed concerns that the general polls might face further delays if candidates’ symbols are changed, despite already being allocated.
The general elections in Pakistan have already experienced significant delays, with some political figures seeking additional postponements for various reasons. However, the Supreme Court has mandated that the polls must occur on February 8.
In an official statement, the ECP noted that political actors are attempting to change their allotted symbols through various channels after the symbols have been allocated.
The statement emphasized that ballot papers have been ordered for printing by three printing corporations, and the printing process has already commenced.
This statement follows reports suggesting that the election commission is contemplating the possibility of postponing polls for specific constituencies if high courts permit independent candidates to alter their electoral symbols.
During a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, the issue of appeals before high courts seeking symbol changes was discussed, with suggestions that dates could be amended for certain constituencies.
The official version reiterated the ECP’s concern that if the process of changing election symbols persists, there is a risk of election delays due to the need for reprinting ballot papers within the limited time frame.
The statement also highlighted the potential wastage of special paper used for ballot papers, which is imported, contributing to Pakistan’s existing balance of payment crisis.
The ECP pointed out the substantial increase in paper usage for the 2024 elections compared to 2018, including the number of candidates and the quantity of printed ballot papers.
The election commission is convening a meeting to address the situation and explore ways to enforce repeated instructions against changing election symbols.
The possibility of postponing elections in constituencies where the process of changing symbols persists is under consideration, according to the statement.
This development comes after leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) filed petitions in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) against the allotment of their symbols, alleging a violation of the law by the election commission.
The PHC dismissed the petitions of PTI leaders, including Shehryar Afridi, Asif Khan, Kamran Bangash, and Aftab Alam, who are contesting the elections as independent candidates due to their party losing the ‘bat’ symbol.
Electoral symbols, which serve as unique pictorial identifiers, play a crucial role in the voting process, especially in regions with a significant illiteracy rate.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
