‘Preparations for elections in tribal district completed’

PARACHINAR: Provincial Election Commissioner Maqbool Ahmed visited Kurram tribal district on Thursday and reviewed preparations for the provincial elections in the district constituencies.

On reaching Parachinar, the provincial election commissioner reviewed preparations for elections in tribal districts in PK-108 and PK-109 constituencies. Election Commissioner Kurram Tanveer Ahmed Humayun and Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Afaq Wazir gave briefing to Maqbool Ahmed about elections in tribal districts. They discussed all the issues pertaining to the elections in detail and expressed satisfaction about the preparations.

Representatives of security forces were also present on the occasion. Talking to media persons after the meeting, the provincial election commissioner said he is visiting different constituencies in tribal districts to ensure best arrangements for the upcoming elections on July 20. He said no compromise will be made on free and fair elections in the merged districts.

Maqbool Ahmed urged the tribal citizens to fully participate in the election process and also encourage women to use their right to vote. He said the ratio of women voters will increase if male members of the family help them in this regard. He said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is giving due importance to provincial elections in merged districts as these are being held for first time in history of the country.

The provincial election commissioner said holding free and fair elections in tribal districts is a big challenge for the Election Commission and this challenge will be met amicably. He said the Election Commission is fully prepared to hold elections in merged districts and there is no problem as such. He said he has already conducted visits to Bajaur and Mohmand tribal districts to review preparations for the upcoming polls. He said now he is visiting Kurram tribal district as part of his visits to review preparations for holding free and fair elections. He said the contesting candidates and voters must not worry about preparations of the Election Commission and they should prepare themselves for the polls.

The election commissioner said there is no security problem in any tribal districts. He said the Pakistan Army personnel will ensure security inside and outside the polling stations during elections.