Election Commission of Pakistan seeks additional Rs14.388bn for conducting General Election

ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (SABAH): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sought Rs14.388 billion additional grant for meeting the general election’s expenses.

According to a letter written by Secretary ECP Omar Hamid Khan to Secretary Ministry of Finance Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh, the Election Commission of Pakistan is constitutionally bound to hold General Elections under provisions of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan read with Section 219 of the Election Act-2017.

The letter further states that as you are aware that in the emerging situation, General Elections of Provincial Assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Bye-elections on 93 vacant Seats of National Assembly have to be conducted by the Election Commission of Pakistan within 90 days and 60 days after the dissolution of Provincial Assemblies under the Article 224(2) and resignations of the member National Assembly respectively. For conducting Provincial Election of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Rs 25.44 billion our of approved Rs 47.417 billion needed to be released in this financial year. Rs 5.00 billion have already been released. The remaining sum of Rs 20.544 billion may please be released at the earliest.

In view of the above mentioned fact, total cost of General Elections has increased from Rs.47.417 billion to Rs.61.805 billion, therefore, an additional TCG of Rs. 14.388 billion will be required for conduct of General Elections in the country in phases.