PM invites opp leader for CEC consultations

Meanwhile, reports indicated that PM Shehbaz Sharif had moved to open a channel for dialogue by inviting Achakzai to consultations on the appointment of a new CEC.However, the opposition leader has yet to respond to the invitation. The timing of the move was notable, with the invitation coming just days before the PTI-led long march towards Islamabad on September 27.

It is pertinent to note that in a letter to the prime minister in August, Achakzai had urged the government to appoint a new chief election commissioner, along with two members representing Sindh and Balochistan.

Similarly, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also recently called for political harmony and stability and urged the government to open a dialogue with the opposition.

During an NA session a few days ago, Sadiq stressed the need for political harmony and stability and expressed the desire for PM Shehbaz Sharif to initiate talks with the opposition, beginning with an invitation to Achakzai for consultations on the appointment of a new CEC.Meanwhile, in a related development, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has begun preparations for the next elections, launching an exercise to update its nationwide database of election officials and review the existing list of polling stations.

In an unusual move, the ECP has started compiling and updating the database of election staff nearly two years ahead of the elections. The commission has issued a letter to the provincial election commissioners, directing them to initiate the process of updating the database of election officials across the country.

Following the ECP's directions, provincial authorities have instructed district election commissioners to update the database of election staff. The commission has directed that records of all officers and officials working in government departments be compiled for the purpose.

All district election commissioners have been given 10 days to complete the database exercise. They have also been directed to complete the database within the stipulated period and send confirmation to the ECP,. The updated database of election officials will be used to ensure timely measures and arrangements for the upcoming elections, the letter stated.

The ECP has also directed district-level authorities to complete records of election staff as part of the exercise. The commission has simultaneously decided to update the list of polling stations across the country and ordered verification of the existing polling stations in all districts of the four provinces.

District election commissioners have been directed to identify buildings that could be used as new polling stations. The exercise has been undertaken in view of the increase in the number of registered voters, which may necessitate the establishment of additional polling stations.

The ECP has instructed authorities in all districts to conduct a fresh review of the existing list of polling stations and identify suitable government and other buildings that could be used for new polling stations.