ECP fears election delay in some constituencies over ongoing symbol changes
Pakistan
Election Commission has already directed printing of ballot papers to three printing corporations.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has expressed the apprehension that general elections will be delayed in particular constituencies, if the current procedure of altering symbols is not stopped in those areas.
“If the symbol change continues, it is feared that elections in those constituencies would be delayed on one hand, and on the other, paper for printing ballot papers would be wated,” said the ECP in a statement issued here.
Highlighting the current scenario, the ECP noted that it has already directed the printing of ballot papers to three printing corporations, and the printing process has commenced.
To address this evolving situation, the commission is holding meetings with the primary objective of managing the circumstances and ensuring strict adherence to instructions against changing election symbols.
The statement raises concerns about potential election delays due to continued symbol alterations, posing a risk of reprinting ballot papers within the limited timeframe.
The special paper designated for ballot printing is also at risk of being wasted, it added. In the 2018 elections, 800 tons of paper was utilized for ballot paper printing, whereas an estimated 2,070 tons of paper is being used in the 2024 elections.
Likewise, in the 2018 elections, 11,700 candidates were involved, whereas this time there were 18,059 candidates in the competition. Similarly, the production of ballot papers has surged from 220 million in 2018 to an estimated 260 million in the elections 2024.
