ISLAMABAD: The News claimed on Monday that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has finished printing 260 million ballots for each of the 859 constituencies in the nation, with just three days remaining in the highly anticipated general elections.
A representative for the electoral board stated that the timely completion of the reprinting of certain ballot papers for a few constituencies in accordance with the orders of the Supreme Court was also accomplished.
Following reprinting, he clarified that ballots are currently being delivered across the nation and would be finished by Monday (today).
In the 2018 general election, 220 million ballots were printed; 800 tonnes of special security paper were utilized in the printing process, according to the spokesperson.
Nonetheless, 2,170 tonnes of paper were consumed and 260 million ballots were printed for the general election of 2024.
He argued that the rise in the number of candidates—1.5 times more than in the 2018 elections—in the constituencies was the primary cause of the increase.
The spokesperson stated that numerous obstacles, such as court cases and a large number of candidates, were encountered at different points during the printing process; however, in spite of these difficulties and time constraints, the commission carried out its duty and finished printing ballot papers on schedule.
Attacks on terror rise before polls
In a related development, the Balochistani administration banned public meetings and election-related events in Quetta on Sunday, citing security risks.
In a statement posted on social networking site X, the caretaker minister of information for Balochistan, Jan Achakzai, stated that the restriction was put in place “in response to a terror alert,” which indicated the existence of a possible female suicide bomber in Quetta. Public safety, he argued, had to come first.
On February 8, he declared, internet connectivity would continue to be blocked in the vicinity of important polling places in Balochistan.
He declared that in response to terrorist alerts, internet services would be momentarily shut down prior to the 2024 elections. There would be limitations on internet access in Turbat, Mach, Chaman, and other province-wide locations.
According to the caretaker minister, the government’s top concern is safeguarding public safety.
