Draft electoral lists: Low public turnout at display centres

The lukewarm response could be a major obstacle in preparation of error-free voter lists, reveals report.

ISLAMABAD:

The lukewarm response of the general public to electoral rolls’ displayed at centres across the country could be a major obstacle in preparation of error-free voter lists, revealed a report by Fafen, a non-governmental organisation.

Low public enthusiasm is not the only concern though, notes Fafen.

The organisation’s observers noted that display centers in some areas were not open at all. The highest number of closed centers was found in Quetta, Swat, Karachi East, Karachi West, Sahiwal, Okara, Narowal, Lahore, Muzafargarh and Khanewal districts.

Meanwhile, there were at least four instances of people being stopped from scrutinizing voter lists in Karachi, Muzaffargarh and Lahore districts, the report said.

The organisation, which has deployed 2,000 trained volunteers to observe the display centres, expressed apprehension that these are not good omens for the exercise.

While a text message on the ECP 8300 Helpline enables people to know their voter registration status against their computerised national identity card number, it does not provide their detailed credentials. People not visiting these centers also lose the opportunity to point out objectionable voters who may be registered but are not residents of that area.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2012.