ECP refutes reports of 13m disenfranchised voters

Watchdog vows to raise awareness regarding voter registration, exclusions, and accuracy until October 25

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has strongly denied reports claiming that 13 million voters were disenfranchised.

A spokesperson for the ECP issued a statement on Friday, stating that the news report featured in a national daily was “filled with inaccuracies and misinformation”.

The statement explained the voter registration process was based on the permanent or current address mentioned on the computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) of each individual. It has no connection to population statistics, as a census requires physical presence while voter registration is purely based on the address specified on the CNIC.

Additionally, the ECP has lifted the freeze on electoral rolls, effective from September 28, 2023, ensuring the registration of all eligible individuals. This freeze had been in place since July 20, 2017, under the provisions of Section 39 of the Elections Act, 2017.

He mentioned that the ECP was consistently raising public awareness regarding voter registration, exclusions, and accuracy through daily media campaigns, and this will continue until October 25, 2023.

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Moreover, the electoral watchdog has acquired data for over 800,000 individuals who were issued CNICs by NADRA on October 1, 2023. Data entry is currently underway, guaranteeing that all these eligible citizens can participate in the upcoming general elections and cast their respective votes.

Furthermore, the ECP has fixed October 25, 2023, as the final date for voter registration, exclusions, and verifications. Consequently, individuals who would obtain their CNICs by October 25, 2023, can be confident about their eligibility to get their respective votes registered.

He mentioned that the commission was fully conscious of its constitutional and legal obligations, as well as the rights of the voters. The process of constituency delimitation will not infringe upon the voter’s rights.