ECP issues directions for revision of electoral rolls

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has directed the provincial election commissioners to initiate the process for revising electoral rolls from December 15, for the upcoming 2018 general elections.

The ECP issued a notification in this regard, asking for the exclusion of names of deceased voters from the voter lists, and also those disqualified for the surrender of nationality or cancellation of CNICs.

The adjustment of census blocks will be based on the census block scheme 2017 issued by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

Moreover, the process of enrolment of 5 million new voters will begin on December 15, read the notification carrying signatures of Deputy Director Elections Mohammad Zubair Kamal. The ECP teams will be conducting door-to-door visits for this.

Revised voter lists will be published by January 8, while any claims or objections to these will be disposed of by February 16, 2018.

The process of preparation, review, removal of objections, corrections, printing, and transfer to relevant centres will end on May 1, 2018.

The ECP also held several events on Thursday to mark the second National Voters' Day.

In the main ceremony held in Islamabad, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Sardar Mohammad Raza said the delimitation of constituencies would be completed before the next general elections after necessary legislation.

All five elected assemblies of the country will complete their tenure by the end of May 2018. However, the Senate is yet to pass a delimitation of constituencies bill which could make it difficult for the elections to be held on time.