PS-114 by-poll preps: ECP all set to use Android app to transfer result forms to Islamabad

With a day left in the by-elections, govt fails to finalise security plan

KARACHI: For the first time, the election commission will be using modern technology by incorporating the 'Result Management System' in the upcoming PS-114 by-election to transmit the result forms directly from polling stations to the election commission office in Islamabad.

The presiding officers will be given an Android mobile phone to capture images of the forms and transmit the data electronically.



This was announced by provincial election commissioner Rana Parvez Anwar while talking to the media after presiding over a meeting on the arrangements for the by-election. Representatives of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), police and Rangers attended the meeting.

"The election commission software will be downloaded on the phone. With this modern system, no one can tamper with the results," Anwar claimed, adding that all arrangements to conduct the elections have been finalised and the polling staff will reach all polling stations a day before the votes are cast.

"We have written to the Rangers for provision of security and army personnel will be on standby as the third tier," he said, adding that since PS-114 is a sensitive constituency, Rangers and police personnel will be deployed inside and outside the 92 polling stations.



"Except for the presiding officers, there will be a ban on the use of mobile phones inside polling stations," Anwar shared, adding that Rangers and police personnel will be patrolling the area to avert any untoward incidents.

With only a day left for the elections, the government has yet to finalise the security plan. Further, officials also failed to present the list of highly sensitive polling stations at a meeting chaired by the home minister on Thursday.

"We have repeatedly asked the concerned officials, but they have yet to provide us with details. The situation is pathetic at a few polling stations, which are deprived of water and electricity facilities," District Returning Officer Ali Asghar Siyal said.