Pakistan Views

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued official results of February 18 polls by issuing notification of federal and provincial legislatures-elect following a day-long meeting of the Commission here on Saturday.
Addressing a news conference, ECP Secretary Kunwar Muhammad Dilshad said the notification of 258 members-elect National Assembly, 291 Punjab Assembly, 122 Sindh Assembly, 89 NWFP, and 48 of Balochistan was issued by the Commission. This, he said, completed the important phase of the Election - 2008. He said all the political parties, civil society, and international observers have appreciated the polls and election and particularly the role of local media was very encouraging for the ECP. Dilsahd said that results of 10 national and 18 seats of the provincial assemblies were withheld owing to stay orders by the courts. The meeting that lasted the whole day and looked into all matters before issuing the notification of the results was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner former Justice Qazi Muhammad Farooq. Four members representing provinces and the ECP senior officials attended the meeting.
The ECP has given three days time to the independent candidates after issuing notification to join any political party. Political parties will inform in writing to the ECP about independent candidates joining them. Finally, the notification of winning candidates of each party on reserved seats will be issued, he added.
The ECP asked the winning candidates to submit details of expenditures by February 28, giving 10 days time to them. According to the Constitution, the Commission has to issue the notification within 14 days after the polls, and as the elections were held on February 18, this Constitutional deadline expires on March 3.
However, the results were issued two days ahead of the expiry date. According to the law, the winning candidates are bound to submit details of expenditures with the Returning Officers which are duly conveyed to the Election Commission. The winning candidates were given 10 days time and losing candidate one month after the polls to file expenditures return.
The ECP secretary said the Commission was in process to complete all the work relating to the election, which will be completed by March 5. He, however, responding to a question about convening of National Assembly session, said it is not the job of the Commission.