EC ready to hold fair polls: Fakhruddin

LAHORE: Chief Election Commission (CEC) Fakhruddin G Ibrahim Friday said that the commission is ready to hold fair elections in the country.

Talking to the media after presiding over a meeting at the provincial election commission office, he said the future of the nation heavily depended on fair and free polls and that was why took it as a challenge.

He asked all political parties, civil society and the media to play their effective role in this regard. He said voter lists had already been made public and were accessible easily and now voters should also check them properly.

To facilitate voters, he said, the number of polling stations has also been increased. "We are committed to providing every facility to voters aiming at a better turnout on the election day," he said.

The CEC shrugged off the allegation that millions of votes could not be registered, saying if it was true, he should be provided with proof.

Answering a question, Mr Ibrahim said the commission took a historic decision and disqualified parliamentarians holding dual nationality. In fact, he said, they were bound to follow directives of the Supreme Court.

He made it clear that the commission would do its job without any pressure from any quarter. He said lawmakers who did not respond to the declaration on dual nationality would be taken to task.

He told a questioner that the issue of dual nationality had turned sensitive and to thrash out its pros and cons an important meeting would be held on October 9 at Islamabad. He, however, said the decision of the Supreme Court had strengthened their stance on the issue.

He said the commission was contemplating electronic voting. He said a model polling station would be held at all provincial election commissions. He said under the direction of the Supreme Court, the commission might provide transport
to voters.

Replying to yet another question about Balochistan, the CEC said a positive change was on the cards and the commission wanted that a maximum number of people should participate in the election process. He said that the commission had no pressure from any quarter including the Presidency.

The CEC further said that he would not allow any election candidate to display big signboards.