The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has established clear guidelines for submitting petitions requesting a recount of votes in the upcoming elections. These Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aim to streamline the process and ensure transparency and fairness in addressing recount requests. ECP Secretariat will be open on February 10th and 11th, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM to receive recount petitions from applicants or candidates. Hearings will also be held on these dates. Petitions must be submitted in 9 copies: one original and eight photocopies with complete details and date of filing. A soft copy of the petition in PDF format along with any supporting documents in a USB drive must be attached to the application. Petitioners must include their identity card copy, valid current address, and contact number in the application. Complete details and address of the defendants (usually the winning candidate or party) must be provided.

If an advocate is representing the petitioner, a letter of attorney, advocate's card, and additional contact numbers are required. Presentation: All applications need to be properly indexed, page-numbered, and flagged for easy reference. Only applications received during the designated dates and times will be scheduled for hearings. These SOPs provide clear instructions for submitting recount petitions, ensuring a standardized and organized process. This helps prevent confusion and facilitates timely review of applications by the ECP. Transparency in the recount process is crucial for maintaining public trust in the electoral system, and these guidelines contribute to achieving that goal. It is important to note that these SOPs only cover the initial submission of petitions. The ECP will likely release further information regarding the hearing process and decision-making criteria in the coming days.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)