GILGIT: Chief Electoral Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan of (GB )Gilgit-Baltistan urged leaders of all political parties on Saturday to help ensure the free, equal and transparent conduct of general elections in the region on 15 November.
When speaking at a multi-party meeting, he called for dialogue with the leaders of the political parties to ensure that elections were conducted peacefully and equally, as well as to review the security arrangements for the polls.
The moot was attended by PPP GB chapter president Amjad Hussain Advocate, PML-N president Hafeezur Rehman, PTI secretary general Fatahullah Khan, Attaullah Shahab of JUI-F, and leaders of religious and regional parties.
The chief electoral commissioner told the participants that all preparations for the polls had been concluded. “Under Section 234 of the Election Act , 2017, GB-wide inspection teams have been established to ensure that the election code of conduct and campaigning is enforced,” he said.
He spoke to the heads of both parties to ensure that the election code was enforced.
He said an autonomous and legislative body was the election commission.
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A total of 1,234 polling stations were established in 24 constituencies, of which 415 stations were declared highly sensitive, 339 sensitive and 480 regular, Raja Shahbaz said.
He said over 745,000 people would use their franchise rights, contributing over 400,000 males and over 339,000 females to the estimated voters. He said the army, GB Scouts, Rangers and FC staff would be mobilised to ensure that the elections were conducted smoothly.
He threatened that no one would be able to place the rule in their possession.
The election commissioner said that the publication of the ballot papers was ongoing, adding media workers and observation of the operation of the election by the observers.
He said a key cell for complaints had been formed and similar cells will also be set up in all 10 districts in the offices of the district returning officer.
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