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Summary Acting CEC Justice Shakirullah Jan has said that EC was ready for elections at any given time.
Acting Chief Election Commissioner, Justice Shakirullah Jan has declared that the government was welcomed to hold general elections at any given time as the Election Commission is fully prepared.Replying to a question while talking to media upon his arrival at Multan Airport from Islamabad on Wednesday, he also declared that Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) enjoyed financial autonomy.“Whatever amount is required by ECP, it is government’s responsibility to provide “, he said, adding that according to rules the ECP was enforcing the Rs1.5 million electoral expenses’ limit for each candidate.“If any associate of any candidate spends in excess of Rs.1.5 million, this would also be accounted for in the restricted Rs1.5 million limit, and would also entail legal action”, he deliberated.Replying to another question he also informed the media that voters of far-flung areas would be provided transportation, while those residing nearby would have to make their own arrangements.To yet another question, he said that it was not in the jurisdiction of ECP to punish those using elections for other illegal advantages, and could/would only be handed over to administration for appropriate punishments.“If any act of rigging was discovered/suspected anywhere, strict checking and investigations would be carried out” he assured.He also said that the forthcoming by-elections of NA-151 constituency, to be held today would be a test-bed for all previous untested/un-implemented regulations, according to directives of the Supreme Court.Deliberating on the NA-151 by-elections, he said that the jurisdiction covered 29 polling stations, the voters of which would be provided due transportation.Replying to yet another question, he rejected the notion that voters had not been provided with elections slips according to voters’ list, and said that postal services had been delegated with the responsibility for the purpose.
