Election Commission mismanagement costs exchequer Rs1.2 billion

The computerized voters list that cost the National Exchequer Rs1.2 billion has gone to waste: Audit report

ISLAMABAD: According to an Election Commission (EC) audit report, the computerized voters list that cost the National Exchequer Rs1.2 billion has gone to waste.

According to the audit report which was presented to National assembly in 2000-01, the EC had hired NADRA for a contract worth Rs440m.

In 2006, a new private contractor was commissioned by the EC to create a database of 70 million additional voters at a sum of Rs530m, however after the completion of the database; an additional 27 million new voters were identified.

The EC paid an additional 44% over the initial amount for the additional work to the contractor even though, according to rules only 15% over the cost for the additional work was to be paid.

Furthermore, services under the contract were availed for two years without a bank guarantee while penalties due from the contractor for delay in work were also waived off and a certificate of completion was issued without the project reaching completion.

No party was held responsible after the financial discrepancies were identified and the EC has once again begun working with NADRA on the development of voters lists.