The thumbprint verification system has been introduced in an effort to curb the possibility of vote-rigging. PHOTO: CREATIVE COMMONS
ISLAMABAD:
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will begin the process of verifying votes by matching thumbprints with the NADRA database within two weeks, an official said on Thursday.
ECP Secretary Ishtiaque Ahmed said in a news briefing that following an appeal by the poll supervisory body NADRA had agreed to boost the capacity of its verification system. The system has been introduced in an effort to curb the possibility of vote-rigging.
In all, the ECP has received 110 complaints about alleged irregularities in the May 11 elections, Ishtiaque Ahmed said.
The poll body reviewed reports of the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) regarding over 100% voter turnout at polling stations. ECP secretary added that if the voter turnout at these polling stations was normal then the FAFEN record would be investigated. But he promised that action would be taken against presiding officers if they were found to be at fault.
Recounting, according to him, had been ordered in nine constituencies and complaints put forward by the PTI chairman would also be considered.
The election commission secretary told reporters that a decision regarding NA-250 would also be made on Friday.
Another press release issued by the commission said that ECP secretary has drawn attention to sub-clause (d) of Clause (6) of Article 51 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which provides that “the members to fill seats reserved for women which are allocated to a province shall be elected through Proportional Representation System of Political Parties’ lists of candidates on the basis of the total number of general seats won by each political party from the province concerned in the National Assembly”.
It further read, “Sub-Clause (e) further provides that the members to fill seats reserved for non-Muslims shall be elected through Proportional Representation system of political parties list of candidates on the basis of total number of general seats owned by each political party in the National Assembly. The aforesaid provisions of the Constitution further provide that the total number of general seats shall include the independent returned candidate or candidates who may duly join such political party within three (3) days of the publication in the official Gazette of the names of the returned candidates”.
“The independent returned candidates are required to apply, after notification as returned candidates, to the leader of the political party for joining his party and the leader of the political party forthwith is required to inform the election commission of his joining through a letter to be delivered to the Election Commission in terms of sub-rule (5) of rule 3 of the national assembly and provincial assemblies allocation of reserved seats for women and non-Muslims (Procedure) Rules, 2002,” the press release concluded.
Kayani assures security for May 19 re-polling
Barely three days before re-polling is to be conducted in some polling stations of Karachi, army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ebrahim held a meeting on Thursday to discuss security arrangements.
The army chief assured the chief election commissioner of his support in providing assistance for the re-polling in some stations on May 19 in different constituencies, particularly in some parts of Karachi, where elections were cancelled due to rigging.
A close aide to the CEC told The Express Tribune that General Kayani assured Ebrahim that the army will follow the election commission’s instructions to ensure fair and transparent re-polling.
A press release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) also stated that the chief election commissioner had called on the COAS and thanked him for the army’s support in ensuring security throughout the elections.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2013.
COMMENTS (10)
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So how many people in Pakistan have any expertise in verifying/comparing thumbprints? Sounds like a long/laborious and likely inaccurate task. I hope you have scanning/computer technology to perform this type of verification.
@Jawad: this should be treated as investigation and the criminals should be punished severely.
These guys would have already taken oaths by that time. Whats the whole point of doing verification within 2 weeks. ECP is trying to make a mockry of the system.
Can't trust ECP at all. 2 weeks means post poll rigging.
Why ECP did not accept NADRA's proposal on taking electro-megnatic-ink thumb impression ??- Pre, during and post rigging must all be thoroughly analyzed before taking oath.
Note this; Even FAFEN SAID THAT there has been no systematic or establishment sponsored rigging. It was , it would have been in faVour of bule boys , not PMLn. aLSO THE RIGGING WAS LESS THAN ANY ELECTIONS IN HISTORY OF pAKISTAN. yES THERE HAVE BEEN IRREGULARIESTIS AND THEY MUST BE INVESTIGATED AND CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN. bUT LETS NOT MALIGN THE WHOLE ELECTIONS JUST TO SATISFY OUR EGOS. gROW UP AND ACCEPT RESULTS,
Because of non computerization in voting stations the possibility of fraudulent votes are very high in Pakistan we must place army inside polling stations to make sure the voter is not harassed or influenced in any way how to vote and the total vote count should be available on hourly basis to prevent votes stealing and all votes will be verified with Nadara for thumb impressions and if fraudulent votes are found that candidate and ECP staff and other people involve in this crime will be punished with 100 lashes in public and heavy fines so nobody in future will ever attempt this.
OH NO!
Within two weeks? Isn't it a little too much time to hide any and all discrepancies?
Finally, some good news. Is it really immature to demand one's rights? If so, then the whole Western World is immature and we might just be the most mature nation in the world.