Fair Elections: Electoral lists to be computerised with NADRA’s help

NADRA requested to assist in the process, which will be initiated in March,” said the official requesting anonymity

GILGIT:

The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government will computerise its electoral rolls to ensure free and fair elections in the future, said an official source on Monday.

“NADRA will be requested to assist in the process, which will be initiated in March,” said the official requesting anonymity.

The official said new computer software would be developed to perform the task assigned to G-B’s election commission. Once the lists are in place, local elections will be held in October this year, he said, adding that the Local Bodies Act will be approved prior to the elections. “Once the bill is enacted into law, the new voters’ list will be prepared [that will be] devoid of flaws.”

Voters will now have the option to poll their votes in one constituency. The 2009 G-B elections were marred by allegations of rigging as the previous government had prepared a manual electoral list within 17 days.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2012.