ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has termed reports circulating on different plat forms of social media showing the number of postal ballots of jail inmates by various candidates as misleading and baseless, official media reported.
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— Election Commission of Pakistan (OFFICIAL)🇵🇰 (@ECP_Pakistan) February 5, 2024
In a statement, the ECP clarified that Returning Officers open and count postal ballots in their respective constituencies in the presence of the candidates and their polling agents during the consolidation process. It added that the ballot papers are later included in the final results. The commission asked the people to not pay any attention to such misleading and baseless news.
Election Commission of Pakistan
Experts said that disinformation and fake news are major challenges in the digital age and asked the authorities to take strict measures to curb fake news in the country. They said that measures should also be taken to create awareness among the citizens to deal such situation.
Earlier, the ECP rejected news reports circulating on some private media channels regarding Election Management System (EMS) as inaccurate and misleading. The Commission said that some private media channels have aired misleading news reports that are completely baseless and contrary to facts about the benefits and eligibility of the EMS. The general elections will be held on February 8 in Pakistan. Over 128 million voters including women and youth voters will exercise their right to vote for the country’s parliament.
