Election Commission Turns to Bureaucracy for ROs Amidst Judiciary lack of response
Election Commission extends date for submission of nomination papers
Islamabad, Nov 26, 2023: – In the face of a lack of response from the judiciary, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken the decision to appoint Returning Officers (ROs) from the bureaucracy for the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 2024.
Contrary to the traditional practice of appointing ROs from the judiciary, the ECP announced that Deputy Commissioners will be designated as District Returning Officers across the nation for the impending elections. This move comes after the Election Commission failed to elicit a response from the judiciary regarding the appointment of ROs.
In a strategic decision, the ECP emphasized that Additional Deputy Commissioners will serve as Returning Officers in National Assembly constituencies, while Assistant Commissioners will assume the role of ROs in Provincial Assembly constituencies.
The decision to involve the bureaucracy in the election process is expected to streamline administrative functions and ensure the smooth conduct of the general elections. The Election Commission clarified that this arrangement will encompass a total of 859 constituencies, spanning both the National and Provincial Assemblies across the country.
As preparations for the elections intensify, the reliance on the bureaucracy for RO appointments marks a significant departure from conventional practices, sparking discussions about the implications of this decision on the electoral process. (Agencies)
