ECP defer controversial blank box in ballot paper

The Election Commission of Pakistan on Friday deferred the controversial decision of including Blank Box in the ballot paper.

The ECP decision had been under fire from almost all political parties, the civil society and the media.

The Election Commission said it is withdrawing the decision keeping in view the legal complexities involved.

On April 3, the commission announced that it will include this option in the ballot papers to be used for the May 11 polls.

The option – if included – had given voters for the first time a choice of rejecting all candidates contesting in their respective constituencies.

Last year, the Supreme Court in its verdict on the Workers Party case had asked ECP to contemplate this option, which is in practice in some countries. In some of these countries, a run-off poll is held if over 50% of the voters in any constituency use this option.

In others, a run-off poll is held if the ‘none of the above’ votes surpass the number of votes for the highest scoring candidate.

The conduct of the Returning Officers are also under criticism for their tough questions from the candidates.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Apr 5 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.