“It is essential to pinpoint the specific areas where irregularities may have been committed so that the general credibility of the election is safeguarded,” said the statement. PHOTO: CREATIVE COMMONS
The Pakistan Institute for Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to conduct a thumb impression audit of voters in all those constituencies where allegations of rigging have been made, including in Karachi and Lahore.
PILDAT in a statement on Tuesday said the exercise was necessary in view of the complaints made by a number of political parties and voters.
“It is essential to pinpoint the specific areas where irregularities may have been committed so that the general credibility of the election is safeguarded,” said the statement.
It added that the thumb impressions of voters authenticated by NADRA in its database should be compared with those affixed on the pictorial electoral rolls and the counterfoils of the ballot papers on Election Day.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2013.
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ECP could do a sample thumb verification test of all consituencies where there are rigging allegations, and if evidence is found they should hold re-elections in those constituencies. They can even identify the culprits by matching the forged thumb prints and take action against them. All that is required is the will to do so, which unfortunately does not seem to exist.