With the highly anticipated General Elections set to take place nationwide tomorrow, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has finalized all necessary arrangements, including the distribution of ballot papers.
As many individuals are expected to cast their inaugural votes, a significant portion may be unfamiliar with the voting procedure. Here, we’ll elucidate the entire process of casting your ballot.
- Locate Your Constituency: Send your National Identity Card (NIC) number to 8300. This will provide details such as your national and provincial assembly constituency number, polling station, family number, and serial number.
- Required Documents: The ECP advises voters to bring their original CNIC for voting. Even those with expired CNICs can still cast their votes. However, other documents, including a copy of CNIC, will not be accepted.
- Cellphone Access: ECP strictly prohibits bringing mobile phones to polling stations. Voters are advised to leave their phones at home.
- Voting Time: Polling will commence at 8:00 am and conclude at 5:00 pm.
- Queue and Verification Process: Wait in line until your turn. The Presiding Officer (PO) will verify your name and electoral number. Once verified, you’ll receive two ballot papers – one for the provincial and one for the national assembly. The PO will also mark your name off the list.
- Sign and Stamp on Paper: It’s crucial that the PO signs and stamps both ballot papers. Your vote won’t be accepted without these signatures and stamps.
- Ballot Papers: Separate ballot papers will be provided for the provincial and national assemblies – white for provincial and green for national. The PO will use special ink to record your thumb impression on the electoral rolls.
- Proceed to Voting Booths: There will be separate boxes for each assembly’s votes – green-topped for national and white-topped for provincial.
- No Interference: Ensure no one is present to influence your vote.
- Ensure the Ink is Dry: After stamping both ballot papers, fold them properly ensuring the ink is dry. Fold lengthwise to prevent ink from spreading.
- Cast Your Vote: Insert the green ballot paper into the box with the green top and the white ballot paper into the box with the white top to complete the voting process.
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