Unrest jeopardizes polls preparations: EC
By Asim Hussain

Islamabad—Chief Election Commissioner has called an emergent meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan on the 31st December (Monday) in the Election Commission Secretariat, Islamabad
The Chief Election Commissioner has summoned the meeting to review the situation arising out of violent incidents in various areas of the country and damaging of electoral rolls .
The offices of the Assistant Election Commissioners located in Sukkur, Jamshoro, Naushero Feroze, Kamber Shahdadkot, Thatta, Ghotki, Jacobabad, Badin and Dadu districts of the Province of Sindh were set on fire and the buildings along with the record, electoral rolls, Transparent Ballot Boxes and Voting Screens were reduced to ashes. Additionally, all activities pertaining to pre-poll arrangements including printing of Ballot Papers and logistics as well as Training of Polling Personnel have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the unfortunate assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on the 27th December, 2007.
Resultantly,. Besides, as per reports from the Political Agent/DRO, Kurram, the law and order situation in Kurram Agency is not conducive for the conduct of Poll, for which requests have been received for the postponement of Poll in two constituencies of Kurram Agency till restoration of normalcy in the area. Similar position may emerge in Swat district, where a contesting candidate for the Provincial Assembly has died in a bomb blast, says a press statement issued by the Election Commission.
In order to review the situation a meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan. Meanwhile Justice (r) Qazi Muhammad Farooq has expressed deep grief and shock on the sad and tragic death of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on his own behalf and on behalf of the Election Commission of Pakistan. He prayed that may Allah Almighty rest her soul in eternal peace in the hereafter and grant courage to the bereaved family of the departed soul to bear this irreparable loss.
He said that the nation has lost an outstanding leader of international stature. Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Qazi Mohammad Farooq suggested to President Musharraf that if the violent situation in the country persists than the option to postpone the upcoming general polls for some time should be considered.
The Chief Election Commissioner called on the President in Rawalpindi on Saturday and exchanged views on the matters related to the general elections in light of the current situation. According to sources, the CEC conveyed his concern pertaining to the current violent situation in Pakistan after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
He told that the offices of the Assistant Election Commissioners located in Sukkur, Jamshoro, Naushero Feroze, Kamber Shahdadkot, Thatta, Ghotki, Jacobabad, Badin and Dadu districts of the Province of Sindh were set on fire and the buildings along with the record, electoral rolls, Transparent Ballot Boxes and Voting Screens were reduced to ashes. Additionally, all activities pertaining to pre-poll arrangements including printing of Ballot Papers and logistics as well as Training of Polling Personnel have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the unfortunate assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on the 27th December, 2007.
Besides, as per reports from the Political Agent/DRO, Kurram, the law and order situation in Kurram Agency is not conducive for the conduct of Poll, he told. Sources told that CEC in view of this situation has suggested to the president that the polls be postponed for some time if the violent situation persists.
On this the president said that the government is considering the option in view of the law and order situation and we are contacting political parties in this regard. He said that the government’s priority is to maintain peace and law and order and we are utilizing the army as well for achieving this purpose. President condemned the burning down of Election Commission offices and termed it an act of miscreants.