Jan 22 deadline to apply for postal ballot

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has set January 22 as the deadline for receiving applications for postal ballot papers for the upcoming general elections for the national and provincial assemblies.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), this provision is exclusively offered to government officials, personnel of the armed forces and individuals in public offices, along with their spouses and children residing in a location different from the registered constituency.

Additionally, individuals in detention and those with physical disabilities unable to travel, possessing a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) with a physical disability logo issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), are eligible to cast their votes through postal ballots, the official news agency reported.

Likewise, individuals appointed by the returning officer, such as police personnel assigned duties at polling stations different from their designated voting location, must submit their postal ballot applications to the returning officer within three days of their appointments.

The ECP clarifies that these applications should be made using the specified form and submitted to the returning officer of the relevant constituency in which these individuals are registered as voters.

Those who receive postal ballots will not have the privilege to cast their votes in person at the polling stations. Alternatively, individuals can download the application forms from the Election Commission of Pakistan’s website, www.ecp.pk.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said on Tuesday that nationwide monitoring teams have taken action to eliminate advertisement hoardings of election candidates that surpass the prescribed limits.

In Peshawar and Mardan, the monitoring teams, in adherence to the code of conduct, removed promotional materials of candidates who erected hoardings in violation of regulations.

These teams are actively addressing the issue by removing unauthorised hoardings and promotional materials across different constituencies.

In accordance with the Election Commission of Pakistan’s Code of Conduct issued on December 20, 2023, individuals and political parties are prohibited from affixing or distributing posters, handbills, pamphlets, leaflets, banners, or portraits larger than the specified sizes outlined by the ECP.