Magnetised ink discrepancy: ECP to use biometric voting machines

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad on Tuesday acknowledged a ‘shortcoming’ during the last general elections, saying magnetised ink used for voters’ thumb impression was used without conducting any prior trial.

The secretary informed the Public Accounts Committee that the commission was not considering using the ink during the 2018 general elections. “Rather, biometric voting machines may be used to ensure transparency.”

The issue of magnetised ink came under discussion when the PAC examined an audit para ‘irregular expenditure [by the ECP] on purchase of indelible ink and magnetised stamp pads worth Rs160 million’.

The ECP official informed the committee that Rs85 million were spent on purchasing magnetised ink but it failed to achieve the desired results.

“At least admit today that the ink was flawed -- and not the mandate of candidates, who won the 2013 general elections. Credibility of innocent candidates was doubted due to hundreds of unverifiable votes,” committee member Sheikh Rohail Asghar asked the ECP secretary.

To that the secretary said the Nadra chairman had informed the judicial commission that probed alleged allegations of managed rigging during the 2013 general elections that magnetic ink would not be helpful in verifying thumb impressions.

Mohammad informed the committee that the ECP has started preparations for the 2018 general elections.

“In light of the recommendations of the judicial commission, the ECP has decided to ensure proper training of the polling staff,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2016.