ECP allows disabled to vote through postal ballot

Pakistani workers prepare election banners featuring images of Imran Khan, cricketer-turned-opposition leader and head of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party in Lahore on June 26, 2018. (AFP)

• People with physical disabilities have long been asking the government to create an environment that enables them to cast their votes
• The ECP is finalizing arrangements for Pakistan’s general elections scheduled for July, 25, 2018

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has allowed people with physical disabilities to cast their votes through postal ballots.
The ECP had extensive deliberations on Tuesday, after which the decision was taken to enable physically challenged people to cast their votes.
“All those having Computerized National Identity Cards, issued by National Database Registration Authority, with the status of disabled person can avail the post ballot paper facility by July 5,” the ECP said in a statement.
People with physical disabilities have for a long time been asking the government, political parties and concerned state institutions to create an environment enabling them to cast their votes and their political participations.
“It’s a step in the right direction. We have been asking authorities to allocate some special seats for persons with disabilities in national and provincial assemblies, so they can raise their problems and help in legislation for physically disabled people,” Atif Sheikh, executive director of the NGO Special Talent Exchange Programme, told Arab News.
The ECP is finalizing arrangements for Pakistan’s general elections scheduled for July, 25, 2018.
Election Commission has sent a formal request
to the Ministry of Defence for deployment of soldiers outside and inside of polling stations to ensure peaceful elections and deal with any untoward incident on polling day.
Election Commission seeks deployment of troops at polling stations from 23rd to 26th July for foolproof security.
“Troops will also be deployed at Printing Corporation of Pakistan Press Islamabad, National Printing Security Company Karachi, and Pakistan Post Foundation Islamabad during printing and dispatch of ballot papers from 27th June to 26th July, 2018,” the ECP said in a statement.