ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has prepared a preliminary list of polling stations for next general elections under Election Act 2017, according to which, a total of 86,436 polling stations would be established across the Country.
As per the preliminary list, 16,635 more polling stations are expected to be set up for 2018 general elections as compared to the last polls, according to the Daily Express.
Sources said that a meeting of the ECP Planning Committee would be held on March 27 in which a report mentioning old and new polling stations would be presented.
Sources said that as per the preliminary list prepared under Election Act 2017, a polling station must be set up at a distance of no longer than one kilometer. They said that in 2013 general elections, 69,801 polling stations were set up across the Country; however, this year establishment of 86,436 polling stations is under plan which are 16,635 more than the past.
They further said that for 2018 general elections, 48,667 polling stations would be established in Punjab and Islamabad – 8,039 more than 2013 elections, 18,647 in Sindh – 3,667 more than 2013 elections, 4,467 in Balochistan – 788 more than the past, and 14,655 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA – 4,141 more than the past.
Moreover, sources said that the mapping of all these 86,436 polling stations has been completed in which buildings, water, electricity, boundary walls and security of these polling stations were reviewed.
Whereas regarding such polling stations having been found with deficiencies, the Election Commission has sent letters to four Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries.