ISLAMABAD: Following Umar Hamid’s resignation, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has introduced Dr. Syed Asif Hussain as the new Secretary, appointing him on a one-year contract amid major reshuffle in the Commission.
Dr. Asif Hussain, a retired Grade 22 officer and former Special Secretary of the Election Commission, brings extensive experience to his new role.
In a simultaneous development, Ijaz Noor Chohan has been designated as the new Provincial Election Commissioner for Punjab, succeeding Saeed Gul.
Notably, Ijaz Noor Chohan previously served as the Provincial Election Commissioner for Balochistan.
Consequently, Saeed Gul, the outgoing Provincial Election Commissioner for Punjab, has been reassigned to the role of Director General at the Election Cell in Islamabad.
Simultaneously, Muhammad Farid Afridi, the Additional Director General of Election Islamabad, has assumed the position of Provincial Election Commissioner for Balochistan.
These appointments are part of the Election Commission’s strategic reshuffling in preparation for the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8.
Earlier,
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has expressed fears that the general polls could be delayed further if the symbols of candidates were changed despite signs already being allocated to them.
Pakistan’s general elections have already been delayed by months, with some political actors demanding further postponements citing various reasons. However, the Supreme Court has directed officials to ensure polls take place on February 8.
In a statement, the polling authority said after the allotment of the election symbols, political actors are “having them changed through various forums”.
“It should be noted that after the allotment of the election symbols, the election commission has ordered the printing of ballot papers to the three printing corporations and the printing work has started,” the statement mentioned.
The statement comes hours after sources informed that the election commission is mulling over the prospects of delaying polls for some constituencies if high courts allow independent candidates to change their electoral symbols.
