ECP to use mobile app to transmit poll results

It was previously used as a pilot project in NA-4 and PS-114 by-elections

LAHORE : The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will use Android-based mobile application called Results Transmission System (RTS) in general elections.

According to the ECP, the commission had successfully tested the RTS through a pilot project conducted in NA-4, Peshawar and PS-114, Karachi by-election last year where presiding officers (PO) entered polling results into the application along with the picture of FORM XIV by using the specialised mobile application which transmitted data to the ECP server in real-time.

The commission in collaboration with National Database Registration Authority (NADRA), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and mobile phone operators has been working on this solution for the past many months. The RTS solution is aimed at enhancing transparency in election results as the mobile app automatically stamps results with time and location coordinates.



The mobile application has the provision to automatically capture current time and geographical coordinates through mobile phone’s Global Positioning System (GPS) and send election results data to central database of the ECP, said an official familiar with this mobile based solution while requesting anonymity.

“It would also help in discouraging unofficial results announcements by electronic media as the commission would be able to provide election results in real time,” he remarked.

He said that to roll out the mobile-based solution, seamless connectivity was the biggest challenge for which the commission has sought assistance from the telecom regulator.

There are around 100,000 polling stations across Pakistan. In most areas 3G, 4G or GPRS connectivity is available except a few remote locations where mobile data networks are not available, he said.

But even in far-flung locations the POs can find mobile data signals by travelling a few kilometers. Earlier, in remote areas of Balochistan and other provinces, the POs had to travel long distances, in some case around 100-kilometer, to deliver results. However, the new mobile application-based system would not only enhance efficiency but would also reduce hassle of the POs, he added.



In addition, the commission has also decided to give an additional Rs1,000 each to all such POs who will assist in transferring the election results to ECP through the RTS.

The ECP believes that this step would encourage POs serving on 85,000 polling stations across the country to use their own cell phones for the RTS.

Earlier, there was a proposal to acquire 100,000 smartphones for this project but subsequently the idea was dropped because of financial constraints. The commission is also imparting training to around 200,000 officials with technical assistance by NADRA.

According to Section 13 of the Election Act, 2017, the commission shall establish a transparent results management system for expeditious counting, tabulation, compilation, transmission, dissemination and publication of results in the official gazette and on the commission’s website.

The presiding officer shall immediately take snapshot of the result of the count and, as soon as connectivity is available and it is practicable, electronically send it to the commission and the returning officer before sending the original documents under Section 90.



The returning officer shall compile the provisional results forthwith and, on or before 2:00 am the day immediately following the polling day, communicate these results electronically to the commission, provided that if, for any reason, the results are incomplete at that time, the returning officer shall communicate to the commission reasons thereof, listing the polling stations from which results are awaited, and send the complete provisional results as soon as the results are compiled.

The returning officer shall electronically send to the commission (a) scanned copy of the provisional results compiled under sub-section (3); and (b) scanned copies of the consolidated statement of the results of the count, final consolidated result together with results of the count and the ballot paper accounts, as received by him from the presiding officers under Sub-section (18) of Section 90.

The returning officer shall also send to the commission original copies of documents mentioned in Sub-sections (3) and (4) through special messenger or any other swift means of communication including urgent mail service or courier service, as may be directed by the commission. The commission shall publish the documents received under Sub-section (3) along with gender disaggregated data of turnout on its website.