MULTAN  - Acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Shakirullah Jan said on Wednesday that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was ready to hold general elections, however, the decision to this effect would be taken by the government.
Talking to newsmen upon arrival at the local airport, he said the ECP was providing transportation facility for the first time ever to voters to enable them to reach polling stations located in far flung rural areas during by-elections in NA-151 constituency scheduled to be held on July 19 (Thursday).
He said the ECP had maintained a strict watch over the election-related expenses which should not exceed Rs 1.5m limit. To a question, he said the ECP would take an action in case of complaints of election rules violation or violence at polling stations against candidates or their supporters provided the complaints were proved.
To another question about expenses on elections, he said the ECP was financially independent and the government was providing funds for holding by-elections or general elections.
He said the ECP had sent voters slips to their respective addresses.
The acting CEC later proceeded to local circuit house to give briefing to candidates about new election rules and to attend a meeting with the district administration to review arrangements for July 19 by-polls in NA-151.