This step-by-step guide outlines the voting process for the upcoming elections in Pakistan on February 8, aimed at simplifying the procedure, particularly for first-time voters:
- Determine Your Polling Station: A day before the election, use the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) SMS service by sending your ID card number to 8300 without spaces or dashes.
- Receive Details via SMS: After sending the SMS, you will receive information about your electoral region name, block code, and serial number.
- Bring Your Original ID Card: Armed with the information from the SMS, bring your original ID card to the designated polling station mentioned in the message.
- Approach the Presiding Officer (PO): Upon arrival at the polling station, join the queue and approach the presiding officer. The PO will verify your name and electoral number.
- Receive Ballot Papers: Once verified, the PO will mark your name from the list, and you will receive two ballot papers: one for the provincial parliament (white) and one for the National Assembly (green).
- Ensure Proper Stamping and Signature: Ensure that the presiding officer’s signature and stamp are obtained on the back of both ballot papers to prevent invalidation.
- Thumb Impression: The presiding officer will imprint your thumb impression on the electoral rolls using non-erasable ink.
- Verify Ballot Paper Security Features: Check for ECP’s watermark and the official nine-matrix seal on the ballot paper to ensure authenticity.
- Cast Your Vote: Enter the polling area and cast your vote for a single candidate on each ballot paper. Make sure the ink is dry before properly folding the papers after stamping both places.
- Place Ballot Papers in Respective Boxes: Enter the voting booths and place the green ballot paper into the green box and the white ballot paper into the white box.
By following these steps, voters can actively participate in the democratic process and contribute to the selection of their representatives in the upcoming elections. Understanding the voting procedure is crucial for ensuring the validity of one’s vote and promoting a transparent and democratic electoral system in Pakistan.
