ISLAMABAD: Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad says the Elections Act 2017 has enormously empowered the commission with autonomy over rules-making, administrative and financial authority.    

He stated this while speaking at the concluding session of one-day media workshop for media persons organized by the Election Commission on preparations of upcoming general elections in 2018.

Babar Yaqoob said under the amended act, election commission by itself will be making rules for electoral process and will publish on its website for suggestions and objections by the public.

He said under the Elections Act, the commission has become more accountable before its strategic partners which include media, political parties, international donors and civil society.

He said for its accountability, the commission is bound to publish nearly thirty such notifications on its website along with presenting annual report to parliament on regular basis.

Answering a question, the secretary said that during conduct of elections the polling staff will be working under the domain of the commission and the Election Commission will have authority to take disciplinary action or punishment in case of misconduct.

The Secretary ECP said that this autonomy will make the working of Election commission more effective.

Answering another question about role of judiciary in Election, the secretary said we always respect the supervision and decisions of the judiciary and take guidelines from it.

To another question, Babar Yaqoob said the training of polling staff will start from March and April next year.

The officials of five different wings of the Election Commission briefed media about Procurement, Elections Act 2017, Conduct of Elections, Use of IT by the Commission, and Electoral Rolls.—Radio Pakistan