JEDDAH, 29 April — Pakistani expatriates all over the Kingdom will cast their votes at designated polling booths in the presidential referendum tomorrow. The polling will commence at 9:00 a.m. and end at 7:00 p.m. Those entering the polling stations before 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote. President Pervez Musharraf is seeking to extend his rule for another five years through the referendum. The ballot paper will be issued to each voter on production of original national identity card (NIC), or valid passport or iqama, said a press release from the Consulate General of Pakistan.
Consul General Nawaz Chaudhari addressed the presiding officers of four polling stations established in the Western Province and gave guidelines for conducting the poll. The presiding officers include Obaidur Rehman for the polling station at Pakistan International School-Jeddah (PISJ) at Azizia; Mazharul Haq, PIS-Taif, Muhammad Idrees, Pakistan House, Makkah; and Dr. Muhammad Ajmal, Pakistan House-II Madinah.
Meanwhile, the Embassy of Pakistan has designated presiding officers Ahsan Raza for the polling station at the embassy premises; Riazul Haq for Pakistan International Nasaryiah, Riyadh; and Ehsanullah Bhatt for Saudi Arabian International School (Pakistan Section, Alkhobar). A special team of the Embassy of Riyadh is visiting Alkhobar today to deliver postal ballots for use at the Saudi Arabian International School (Pakistani Section, Alkhobar).
The Pakistani mission has expressed its gratitude to the Kingdom for allowing its expatriate community to participate in the referendum in seven polling stations Kingdomwide.
