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Saturday, April 20, 2013
ECP starts printing of ballot papersISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has started printing of ballot papers from Friday.
Printing of 1.8 million ballot papers has been started from Friday and the whole process would be completed till April 30, said an official of ECP while talking to APP. Election Commission officials are in close contact with the printing press’s staff for proofreading of ballot papers. He said the returning officers (ROs) would issue final list of candidates in their respective areas on Friday.
To a question, he said final list of candidates would be displayed on ECP website soon after receiving from returning officers. The political parties would start election campaign throughout the country.
The deadline for candidates to withdraw their nomination papers has also ended. The process of submission of party ticket certificates by contesting candidates has also been completed. It is mandatory for every candidate to submit party ticket to get party symbol in the ballot paper. In case a candidate fails to submit party ticket, he/she would be considered an independent candidate.
The deadline for candidates to withdraw their nomination papers has expired.
To another question, he said ECP has ordered provincial and federal governments to provide foolproof security to the contesting candidates and specially the leadership of political parties.
To a question, he said, there is no limit of advertisement expenditure for political parties as per law, however, a candidate of National Assembly has to spend not more than Rs1.5 million on his campaign while a provincial assembly candidates must not spend Rs 1 million on his election campaign.
Symbol allotted to independent candidates: The ECP on Friday allotted 45 election symbols to independent candidates. According to spokesman of ECP, the returning officers have allotted the elections symbol to independent candidates in their respective areas.
He said the ECP had already issued the allotted election symbols to 148 political parties on March 19. The symbols were allotted in the light of the preferences shown by the parties in their applications. appCourtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk