Delimitation impossible sans census: CEC Fakhruddin
04 March, 2013
ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim on Sunday said delimitation of constituencies in Karachi was impossible in the absence of a fresh census. Talking to media persons here, Ebrahim said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would take all decisions in accordance with the verdict of the Supreme Court but questioned as to how delimitation could be done in Karachi without a census. The CEC said delimitation before the general elections was impossible and added that a meeting of the ECP would be called soon to discuss the issue. Earlier on Jan 22, Ebrahim categorically said delimitation of constituencies before the general elections was not possible and pointed out that absence of a fresh census might make it impossible for the ECP to implement the Supreme Court's order in this regard. In its November 26 order, the apex court observed that constituencies in Karachi should be delimited in a manner that they comprise "mixed population" to avoid political polarisation and issued a notice to the secretary ECP after an official of the commission submitted that the process for delimitation of constituencies in the city could not be initiated. Meanwhile, the Election Commission (ECP) is putting final touches to its preparations for the upcoming general elections. According to media reports, the Commission is getting prepared over 500,000 ballot boxes and 80 percent work has been completed. All the relevant material for elections is also being arranged. From today (Monday) onwards‚ ECP will begin the process of training of over seven hundred thousand officials from government departments‚ whose services will be employed during the election. District returning officers‚ returning officers and assistant returning officers from every district will undergo a four-day training programme during the first phase. It has provided five hundred million rupees to relevant departments to purchase special paper to be used for ballots. They will be using 'non-market' paper with special security features to avoid any ballot paper duplication. The ECP has sought Rs. 6 billion from finance ministry‚ out of which two billion have been released. End.
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