Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan on Tuesday said that election schedule would be announced after the establishment of caretaker setup.

The ECP was committed to hold free, fair and transparent elections in the country, he said.Speaking to a private television channel, he said that elections would be held in the second week of May, 2013.He expressed hope that all the political forces would be agreed on one name for caretaker prime minister to conduct free and fair elections.

Replying to a question, Khan said ECP is an independent organisation and authorised to take any step to ensure free and fair elections.The army has also assured the commission to provide every possible help for the conduct of peaceful polls, he said.Khan said that the committee had finalised proposals regarding delimitation of constituencies in Karachi, adding that ECP would take final decision regarding the issue in coming days.

He said that new voter lists had been prepared for forthcoming elections.Replying to another question, he said that the provincial governments would be responsible to provide security in their respective areas during polls.the ECP secretary said that nomination papers for elections have been sent for publishing.He said that democracy was strengthening in the country as first democratic government is going to complete its constitutional term.