ECP denies PTI access to its voter database

Claims granting access would allow for record tampering and be a breach of its mandate

ISLAMABAD: The confrontation between Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Pakistan Tehreek-i- Insaf (PTI) has intensified further, as the ECP has refused to grant access to its data server to PTI for preparing credible voter lists for the upcoming intra-party elections (IPEs).

The ECP expressed apprehension before the Supreme Court (SC) claiming that providing access to the server to anybody means permitting him to tamper with the record maintained by the ECP and therefore such request are to be treated with caution.

The top court on January 21 sought a concise statement from ECP over PTI’s plea.

PTI chief election commissioner Tasneem Noorani filed a petition against Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) November 16, 2015 order, wherein the party’s petition was dismissed.

The petitioner requested that the SC direct the ECP to grant access to the server for data verification of party members and provide a soft copy of voter details.

In response to the court’s order, the commission has submitted that such access the data server will taint the whole system, therefore, the petition is not maintainable.

The ECP has also requested the SC to dismiss PTI’s plea with cost in the interest of justice.

“No legal right guaranteed to the petitioner or his party has been infringed as such as the petition is misconceived”, says the ECP’s reply

The ECP states that it is a constitutional body and its duty and functions are prescribed. Furthermore ECP claims that facilitating someone by granting access to its server is not obligatory upon it under any law.

The reply also says that asking for access amounts to interference with the constitutional duties and functions of the commission. The ECP further states that an alternative is available to all registered voters and PTI may request voters details by messaging ‘8300’.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2^nd, 2016.