Govt forms committee to oversee elections

The caretaker government has formed a seven-member committee for the conduct of general elections in the country.

The committee, notified on Thursday, will be led by the caretaker minister for maritime affairs and will include chief secretaries from all four provinces as well as the federal interior secretary.

The notification also allows for a seventh member to be co-opted by the committee.

The terms of reference of the committee include:

To oversee the security arrangements for general elections
To review and resolve matters regarding administrative arrangements
To issue directions for urgent requirements of additional security where law and order situation requires
To implement directions of ECP regarding smooth and orderly conduct
General elections are set to be held in the country on February 8. The date was decided after a long period of uncertainty after the Supreme Court after the Election Commission of Pakistan to consult the president of Pakistan.

Nomination papers of candidates have already been filed and symbols allotted. However, some quarters have raised concerns about security matters particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.