ISLAMABAD: In a bid to facilitate voters, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced to make SMS service ‘8300’ free of charge from January 29, as the nation is heading towards the general elections slated to be held within less than two weeks.
The announcement came from ECP’s Spokesperson Syed Nadeem Hyder, Additional Director General (ADG) Nighat Sadique, and the Project Director of the Project Management Unit during a radio show.
They said the voters can check details of their constituencies, cities and respective polling stations and by sending their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC) number to 8300.
The ECP officials said the voters are required to bring their CNICs to the polling station for voting. A vote can be cast even if the CNIC is expired or by presenting the token issued for the issuance of a new CNIC.
The ECP officials told the listeners that a mechanism is in place using the technology to ensure fairness and transparency of the whole electoral process.
They said a large number of international observers have also been invited to monitor the polls.
The ECP spokesperson said that under the Election Act, a time limit has been set for the compiling of election results. He also said that presiding officers are required under the law to send the election results to the ECP by 2am.
In case of any delay, the returning officer (RO) will inquire about the cause of the delay from the presiding officer and submit it to the (ECP). He said the election results must be finalised by 10am the next day.
