Audit identifies ‘unauthorized allowance’ for ECP personnel
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) encountered audit objections over the “unauthorized payment” of a 20 percent election allowance to its personnel, based on their basic pay, commencing from March 1, 2013, as reported by the audit officials.
The matter gained attention when the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) subcommittee examined the audit objections from the election supervisor for the 2013-14 period. Shahida Akhtar Ali presided over the session.
The audit inspectors saw that the allowance had not received approval from the prime minister nor endorsement from the Finance Division’s Regulation Wing. The issue is presently under deliberation before the Supreme Court.
ECP officials asserted that the Peshawar High Court had decided in their favor, affirming that employees are receiving the 20 percent allowance. They further observed that the Supreme Court had not issued any stay order.
The ECP asserts that employees are eligible for the allowance as per the high court’s ruling and the prime minister’s summary.
The electoral oversight authority underscored that the 20 percent allowance constitutes a component of employees’ remuneration.
The audit officials advised that the issue be forwarded to the Review and Implementation Committee, which is responsible for executing any decisions rendered by the Supreme Court.
The ECP secretary, Omar Hamid, determined that there are no irregularities in this situation.
