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MPs seek more powers for ECP
ISLAMABAD: The sub-committee of the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms on Tuesday approved a recommendation for placing returning officers (ROs), presiding officers (POs) and other election staff, as well as security officials deputed at the polling stations, directly under the control of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The sub-committee met here under the chairmanship of Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid.It discussed the procedure for the allotment of symbols to political parties and the ECP’s order.
Following the decision of placing ROs, POs and election staff under the ECP, the commission would get powers to take action against them on complaints of misconduct.
Currently, the ECP does not have any powers to take action against ROs, POs and other election staff as they do not fall directly under the control of the commission.
It was also decided not to issue an election symbol to any individual candidate that has already been allotted to a political party. Talking to newsmen after the closed-door meeting, Zahid Hamid said it was decided to streamline and unify all election laws into one piece of legislation.
It was also decided that candidates would contest elections only on their party symbols and will not be allotted a symbol other than that of their political party. He said it was also decided to streamline the procedure for the allotment of symbols to political parties.He said the committee reviewed the powers of the ECP and decided to give it more powers.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk