The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has made a significant decision concerning the Returning Officer (RO) of NA-44 Dera Ismail Khan, accusing the RO of the unauthorized use of his powers. According to the spokesperson, the RO altered the electoral symbol of a candidate in his constituency without proper justification.
Upon initiating preliminary investigations into the matter, the ECP found evidence substantiating that the RO had exceeded his authority by making arbitrary changes to the electoral symbol of a hopeful candidate within his jurisdiction. In response to these findings, the Commission decided to take appropriate action against the RO.
The spokesperson further informed that, during the investigation, it became evident that the RO had used his discretionary powers inappropriately. Consequently, the ECP deemed it necessary to replace the Returning Officer/Additional Deputy Commissioner with immediate effect. In this regard, Syed Gulfam Abbas Shah has been appointed as the new RO for NA-44 Dera Ismail Khan.
Additionally, the Election Commission has taken a strong stance on the matter by directing the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to promptly suspend the Chief Secretary’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) and has issued instructions for him to report to the Establishment Department.
In a move to ensure accountability, the ECP has formed a three-member inquiry committee under the chairmanship of the Provincial Election Commissioner of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This committee has been tasked with conducting a thorough inquiry into the allegations against the RO. The committee is expected to submit its comprehensive report within a stipulated period of six days.
This development underscores the Election Commission’s commitment to ensuring fair and transparent electoral processes. The actions taken against the RO demonstrate the significance of upholding the principles of democracy and holding electoral officials accountable for any misuse of their powers, contributing to the integrity and credibility of the electoral system.
