TV channels may give progressive results: EC
* EC secretary says 26,000 polling stations declared sensitive
LAHORE: The Election Commission (EC) of Pakistan has said that it would not announce progressive election results on February 18 but private television channels were allowed to do so, Dawn News reported on Friday.
The channel claimed that Election Commission Secretary Kunwar Dilshad had earlier told the state-run television that private television channels were not allowed to announce progressive results.
Talking to the channel, the secretary denied that the EC had asked television channels not to announce progressive election results, adding the commission had only said it would not issue progressive results as per its policy since 1984-85.
Sensitive: Earlier, the secretary held a news conference to brief reporters on the arrangements for Monday’s elections. The channel said Dilshad told reporters that 26,000 of more than 64,000 polling stations had been declared sensitive. It said he expressed hope that the government would be able to maintain its writ especially in the troubled areas on the election day.
Rejecting allegations of rigging, Kunwar Dilshad said the commission would not allow anyone to manipulate election results. He said the Election Commission would ensure that no party or candidate used foul means and take all possible measures to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
He also rejected a recent study on electoral rolls conducted by a civil society organisation that claimed that voter lists contained 7.5 million duplicate entries.
Source: Daily Times
Date:2/16/2008
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