The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken a significant stride in gearing up for the 2024 general elections by issuing notifications for the appointment of District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs). The commission has designated DROs, ROs, and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) for 859 constituencies of the National and Provincial Assembly. In the announcement, the spokesperson for the Election Commission highlighted key appointments. The Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad has been named the District Returning Officer for the federal capital. Furthermore, 36 DROs have been appointed for the National and Provincial Assembly seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 41 for Punjab, 30 for Sindh, and 36 for Balochistan. Additionally, the Election Commission has enlisted 266 ROs and AROs for the National Assembly seats. Notably, 45 ROs and AROs are designated for National Assembly seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 3 for Islamabad, 141 for Punjab, and 61 for Sindh. Balochistan will have 16 ROs and AROs.

The Election Commission has also appointed 8 ROs for specific seats of the National and Provincial Assemblies. The notifications specify that Deputy Commissioners will serve as DROs during the general elections, and separate ROs have been assigned for each constituency. In addition to bureaucratic appointments, the Election Commission has recruited ROs from provincial and federal departments. Notably, there will be a ban on transfers of election duty officers. The commission has terminated holidays in the election wing, signaling the imminent announcement of the election schedule. The training phase for appointed ROs has commenced, with sessions scheduled at 38 locations nationwide. The training aims to equip ROs with the necessary skills for the electoral process. The subsequent phase will involve finalizing the polling scheme.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)