‘8300’ SMS
In a proactive move to enhance voter convenience, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the waiver of charges for the ‘8300’ SMS service starting Monday, January 29. This initiative aligns with the forthcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, as the nation gears up for a pivotal democratic event.
ECP’s Spokesperson Syed Nadeem Hyder, along with Additional Director General (ADG) Nighat Sadique and the Project Director of the Project Management Unit, shared this development during a radio show. They emphasized that voters can avail themselves of crucial information about their constituencies and polling stations by sending their computerized identity card numbers to the designated ‘8300’ SMS service.
To ensure a smooth voting process, voters are reminded to bring their Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) to the polling stations. Significantly, the officials highlighted that even if the CNIC is expired, or a token has been issued for a new CNIC, individuals can still cast their votes.
The ECP officials underscored the use of technology to establish a robust mechanism that upholds the principles of fairness and transparency throughout the electoral process. They revealed that a substantial number of international observers have been invited to monitor the elections, reinforcing the commitment to a credible and unbiased electoral exercise.
Addressing concerns related to election result timelines, ECP ADG Sadique noted that, in accordance with the Election Act, strict time limits have been established for the completion of election results. Presiding officers are mandated to submit election results to the election commission by 2 am, with a finalization target of 10 am the next day. Any delays will be investigated by the returning officer to ensure the timely and efficient conclusion of the electoral outcome.
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