President signs into law, the Electoral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013

Islamabad, May 09, 2013 (PPI-OT): President Asif Ali Zardari today on the advice of the Prime Minister has approved and signed the ‘Electoral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 to facilitate the Overseas Pakistanis to cast their vote from abroad.

Giving details of the ordinance, Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said that ordinance provides that the Election Commission of Pakistan at least 14 days before the day fixed for poll abroad, shall establish polling stations with as many polling booths as may be necessary in the premises of an Embassy, a Mission or a Consulate provided that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have obtained consent of the host countries for establishment of the polling stations.

The ordinance further says that an overseas Pakistani not later than ten days before the day fixed for poll abroad, register himself as an elector in the embassy, mission or consulate where he intends to cast his vote. To ensure the conduct of free, fair and transparent poll, the Election Commission shall appoint as many independent monitors as necessary at a polling station abroad, the ordinance says.

The Spokesperson said that the Ordinance shall come into force at once but shall take effect on the date or dates to be notified by the Election Commission in the official gazette.

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