National Accountability Bureau returns 16,526 candidates’ record to Election Commission of Pakistan

Islamabad, April 05, 2013 (PPI-OT): To facilitate the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in conducting a fair and free election 2013, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has so far returned record of 16,526 candidates to the ECP after scrutinizing, out of the 19,400 received till today. Out of the total applications received by NAB, only 2,874 received today are under process and will be returned by late tonight.

NAB on the direction of Chairman NAB Admiral (R) Fasih Bokhari is playing a proactive role to help ECP. In this regard, NAB has established Election Cells at its Headquarters and all regional offices. The staff manning these Cells is working round the clock and has sacrificed weekly holidays since this process started.

NAB Headquarters Election Cell is coordinating and, after receiving relevant information from regional offices, compiles the record of candidates and forwards it to the ECP within 24 hours of receiving the information of candidates from the commission; in accordance with the decision taken during a meeting with ECP last month; at which representatives of all relevant departments including NAB, NADRA, FBR, and SBP were present. The regional election cells of NAB are not mandated to directly give the information to the returning officer as per policy of ECP.

NAB has so far returned record of 16,526 candidates till April 03, 2013. Record of 5 candidates was received and returned on 25 March, 41 on 26 March, 241 on 27 March, 972 on 28 March, 1,568 on 29 March, 2,529 on 30 March, 3,727 on 01 April, 3,963 on 02 April and those of 3,480 on April 03, 2013.

The ECP provided inter-departmental linkage to NAB and other relevant departments for online sharing of data to scrutinize the illegible candidates for the elections. It was decided that all relevant departments would develop their own mechanism for proving up to date information to the returning officer efficiently and well in time.

NAB was asked to provide the list of the convicts, including details of Plea Bargain (PB). Bank loan default cases referred under section 31-C will be reported whether in inquiry, investigation, trial or completed through PB/ Voluntary Return (VR).

For more information, contact:
National Accountability Bureau (NAB)
ATTATURK AVENUE G-5/2, Islamabad
Tel: 051-111-NAB-NAB (111-622-622)
Fax: 051-9214502-03
Email: chairman@nab.gov.pk, infonab@nab.gov.pk