ISLAMABAD: The Finance Ministry moved to allay concerns raised by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding the delayed disbursement of crucial funds amounting to Rs17 billion for the upcoming elections on February 8. In response to the ECP’s apprehensions, Secretary Finance Imdadullah Bosal assured that the urgently needed funds would be released within the next “day or two,” with a senior official stating that it was likely to happen on Tuesday.
The Election Commission, which initially requested Rs51 billion for the elections, later settled for Rs47 billion after several discussions. Of this amount, Rs5 billion had already been released during the previous fiscal year. Despite an allocated budget of Rs42 billion for the elections in June, only Rs10 billion had been released to the ECP thus far. The Finance Ministry had been approached multiple times, accompanied by written reminders, but the response remained elusive, prompting the ECP to summon the finance secretary for an explanation.
The ECP’s concern over the delayed funds reached a point where the Chief Election Commissioner contemplated writing to caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar for intervention. However, following the assurance from the finance secretary, the ECP decided not to pursue this course, expressing confidence in the promised release of Rs17 billion.
In a related development, the ECP addressed a significant shortfall of over 277,000 police personnel required for election security. The ECP, through a letter to Secretary Interior Aftab Akbar Durrani, requested the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces outside polling stations to ensure smooth elections. The letter emphasized the necessity of this deployment given the fragile security and law and order situation prevailing in the country.
The ECP requested confirmation of the availability of army and civil armed forces, both in static and Quick Response Force (QRF) mode, to fill the identified shortfall in security personnel. The letter urged a response by December 7, 2023, ahead of the forthcoming elections. The ECP emphasized its commitment to organizing elections in accordance with the Constitution and relevant election laws, calling on executive authorities and law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order during the electoral process.
Reports cited in the letter highlighted a significant shortfall of 169,110 personnel in Punjab, 18,500 in Sindh, 56,717 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 13,769 in Balochistan, and 4,500 in Islamabad. The ECP sought instant reports from the Inspector Generals of Police regarding the requirement, availability, and shortfall of police personnel to ensure fool-proof security arrangements and peaceful conduct of the elections.
