ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Wednesday wrote a letter tothe chief election commissioner seeking a one-hour extension in pollingtime.
PML-N Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed requested an extension in polling timeunder “Section 70 of Election Act 2017, which authorises ElectionCommission of Pakistan (ECP) to extend ‘polling hours already fixed’.”
“On the basis of reports that have been received from PML-N candidates fromalmost all constituencies of Pakistan, I would like to kindly request youto extend the polling time by at least one hour from 6pm to 7pm given thatthere are long lines of voters waiting in the queue, while only three tofour persons are allowed to enter the polling station at a time to casttheir vote,” the letter read.
“This is not only causing inconvenience to voters standing in lines in thehot and humid weather, but it also may end up depriving people from theirright to vote because of this tedious, slow, cumbersome voting procedureadopted by personnel at almost all the polling stations in Pakistan,” itadded.
The letter further said, “We are receiving complains on a large-scalenationwide, and PML-N would appreciate if this demand of the voters isaccepted to ensure that the elections are free, fair and transparent sothat all the voters desirous of casting their votes are not deprived ofthat fundamental right.”