ECP declares Feb 8 as public holiday

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced February 8 (Thursday) as a public holiday, aiming to provide voters the opportunity to cast their votes conveniently.

The ECP spokesperson said in a statement that the declared holiday, referencing sections (4) and 8 of the Election Act 2017, is granted to empower voters in exercising their right to franchise freely and conveniently.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to dispatch the ballot papers for general elections in some areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by air to ensure prompt delivery.

“The ballot papers will be airlifted to Gwadar, Panjgur, Kach, Kharan, Bajaur and Kurram Agency,” the spokesman of the ECP told the official news agency.

The spokesman said the ballot papers of national and provincial assemblies of the said areas will be sent by helicopter and C-130.

About the printing of the ballot papers, he said the printing of ballot papers for three seats of National Assembly of federal capital has started and the task will be completed shorty.

The spokesman said the printing of ballot papers of all constituencies of national and provincial assemblies from Balochistan has been completed.

He said that around 90 percent printing of ballot papers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 80 percent of Punjab and 60 percent of Sindh has also been completed.