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Election Commission of Pakistan building in Islamabad. Photo: Radio Pakistan
RAWALPINDI:
Former elected members of the Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonment boards have filed objections against the new delimitation of 20 wards carried out by the Election Commission, citing “unnatural” division of areas and unequal distribution of votes.
The regional director of the Election Commission will hear the objections on March 30 and 31. The former members have also submitted draft proposals for revised delimitations.
According to sources, the objections were filed ahead of new elections following the completion of the tenure of elected cantonment board members. It was stated that in Rawalpindi Cantonment Board’s 10 wards, population has not been evenly distributed, while there are significant disparities in the number of registered voters.
For instance, Ward 1 has 33,000 voters, whereas Ward 2 has 64,000; Ward 3 has 49,000 voters compared to 53,000 in Ward 4. Similarly, Ward 5 has 33,000 voters while Ward 6 has 32,000; Ward 7 has 14,000 voters compared to 34,000 in Ward 8; Ward 9 has 26,000 voters while Ward 10 has 24,000.
The objections further stated that not only is the vote distribution unequal in Rawalpindi Cantonment, but the delimitation of areas has also been carried out on unnatural lines. It was also pointed out that areas along IJP Road, Golra Mor, Chishtia Abad and Jhungi – which were notified by the federal government to be included in Rawalpindi Cantonment Board and where property tax assessment has already begun – have been excluded from cantonment wards and instead placed under CDA in the new delimitations.
A similar situation exists in the 10 wards of Chaklala Cantonment Board, where areas have been divided unnaturally, affecting the equitable distribution of basic facilities.
Former Rawalpindi Cantonment Board member Rashid Khan said that voter numbers in his ward have been raised to 53,000, while unnatural delimitation has created issues in the provision of basic services.
Meanwhile, former Chaklala Cantonment Board members said wards should be delimited on a fair basis, ensuring equal population and minimal differences in voter numbers to avoid issues in elections and distribution of facilities and funds.
