LAHORE: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Punjab caretaker government on Monday again pledged to ensure free and fair elections in the province, as people across the country are getting ready to use their right to vote.
The promise was made during a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi held at the CM Secretariat Lahore to review the progress.
On occasion, the participants were given a briefing on the arrangements being made by the electoral watchdog for organizing polls and the government steps adopted for security reasons in this regard.
It was decided that the Punjab government would appoint a focal person for close and effective coordination with the ECP to hold timely polls.
Raja said that the elections were not far away and they would have to make joint efforts for free and fair elections on time, as he assured the provincial government of extending full assistance for the purpose.
Election Commission Ready to Hold Polls
He said the delimitation process would be completed by 30 November, adding that the Election Commission was ready to hold polls and satisfied with the steps taken so far by the Mohsin Naqvi-led government in Punjab.
Naqvi reciprocated the views expressed by Raja and said the government would follow the ECP guidelines in letter and spirit, as he described holding free and fair polls as a national responsibility.
The ECP members Babar Hassan Bharwana (Punjab), Nisar Ahmed Durrani (Sindh), Justice (r) Ikramullah Khan and Shah Muhammad Jatoi Balochistan as well as provincial chief secretary, IGP and other top government functionaries also attended the meeting.
