How to cast vote on February 8 in Pakistan? As Pakistan prepares for its upcoming elections on February 8, 128 million voters are poised to elect legislators to both the National and provincial assemblies.
The country, grappling with months of economic crisis and political uncertainty, is set to transition from a caretaker setup to a new government.
How to cast vote on February 8 in Pakistan?
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the voting process:
- Pre-election Preparations: To avoid last-minute confusion, voters are advised to ascertain their designated polling station by sending an SMS with their ID card number to 8300. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has introduced this SMS service to facilitate voters in locating their constituency easily.
- Verification at the Polling Station: On election day, voters are required to bring their original ID cards to the polling station mentioned in the SMS received earlier. Upon arrival, they should join the queue and approach the presiding officer, who will verify their name and electoral number.
- Receiving Ballots: Once verified, voters will receive two ballot papers – a white one for the provincial parliament and a green one for the National Assembly. It is crucial that the presiding officer signs and stamps the back of both ballot papers to ensure their validity.
- Thumb Impression and Security Checks: Following ballot paper verification, voters will have their thumb impression imprinted on the electoral rolls using non-erasable ink. They should also check for security features such as the ECP’s watermark and official seal on the ballot paper to confirm its authenticity.
- Casting the Vote: Voters will then enter the polling area and cast their vote for a single candidate. It is important to ensure that the ink is dry before folding the ballot papers to prevent smudging.
- Submission of Ballots: After casting their votes, voters should proceed to the voting booths and deposit the green ballot paper into the green box and the white one into the white box.
By following these outlined steps, voters can effectively participate in the electoral process and exercise their democratic right to choose the next government of Pakistan.
Also read: Pakistan’s most expensive election
The meticulous guidance aims to streamline the voting experience, particularly for first-time voters, and minimize any potential disruptions on election day.
