Rawalpindi (July 10, 2018): Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Asif Ghafoor has said that this is the third consecutive election, which will ensure the democratic process.
Addressing an important presser in Rawalpindi today, DG ISPR said:”I am constantly asked whether elections will be held or not but Pakistan is heading towards the general election.”
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Posted by Abbtakk on Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Explaining the army’s role in the July 25 general election, Major-General Ghafoor said, “We have to support the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the tasks they have sought our help with.”
DG ISPR further added this is not the first time that troops will be deployed to overlook the election process.
Regarding overlooking the process of the printing of ballot papers, DG ISPR clarified, “We only have to transport the ballot papers in a secure manner and will not be involved in anything else.”
“We will not take over the printing material, the ECP staff will handle that,” he asserted.
“In Rawalpindi we have established an army election support centre to coordinate and if needed communicate with ECP,” the DG ISPR said.
Maj-Gen Ghafoor further revealed that the ECP has issued a code of conduct for the military. “We are bound to implement a code of conduct issued by the ECP when executing our duties,” he said.
“Our top priority is to maintain peace and security in the country,” he upheld.
“We will carry out our duties in a non-political and impartial manner without any interference in the election process,” the DG ISPR maintained.
Further, the DG ISPR shared that the ECP has made a system through which pictures will be taken and transmitted to returning officers to ensure that when the votes are counted they are neither less nor more.
Major General Ghafoor also requested the media to not question the troops deployed at polling stations.
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Posted by Abbtakk on Tuesday, July 10, 2018
DG ISPR said that “I’d like to request media persons to refrain from approaching troops deployed at the stations”.
Major General Asif Ghafoor while rejecting political affiliatino said that we do not have any political party or alignment and are working only for the country.”
The military spokesperson further said, “3,71,000 personnel will be deployed on election day with two soldiers inside each polling station and two outside.”
“A total 20,831 polling stations have been declared sensitive,” he said.
The DG ISPR also urged the nation to come out and vote.
“No matter who you support, come out and vote for them,” he said while adding that he hopes the voter turnout will increase.
Responding to a question regarding allegations that although polling may be transparent there are measures being taken to ensure it’s not a “level playing field,” the DG ISPR said, “Has there ever been an election in which at least one political party hasn’t alleged rigging?”
Regarding candidates being ‘forced’ to switch parties, the military spokesperson questioned, “Has there ever been an election in which candidates haven’t jumped ship?”
“Armed forces in the last 15 years has fulfilled its duties.”
“In 2013, there was a different environment and terrorists threatened to not allow politicians to campaign,” he said.
Further, the DG ISPR said, “Neither me nor our field commanders give their opinions on a daily basis but talk shows are held everyday from 7:00pm onwards where people share their opinions and say whatever they wish.”
“106 million Pakistanis will vote but is it possible for us to go to every citizen and tell them who to vote for?” he asked while answering a question regarding political engineering.
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