SC hints it may determine NADRA's role in verifying thumb impression of voters

Apex court told NADRA has no legal authority to verify thumb impression of voters.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday hinted that it may examine the role of National Database Regulatory Authority (NADRA) in verification of thumb impression of voters, as it sought to club all relevant cases.

While hearing a case about irregularities in NA-202, the apex court observed that there was a need to amend the law to authorise NADRA to verify voters. However, it noted that parliament remains the only forum to amend the relevant law (the Representation of People Act 1976).

Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, while heading the three judge bench which is hearing the case, directed the registrar’s office to club all the cases related to election rigging as well as verification of thumb impression of voters as it decided to give a ruling over the issue of thumb impression verification of voters.

He observed that election rigging, as well as verification of voters by NADRA, is a national issue of extreme importance. Hence, Justice Nisar said the matter should be examined in the larger perspective together.

On the issue of NADRA’s role in verifying voters, Justice Nisar observed that the body had no authority under current laws to verify thumb impressions of voters. He added that in order for NADRA to verify thumb impression of voters, rules and regulations will need to be amend.

Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh, another member of the bench, lamented that if the government had implemented the court’s verdict for elections reforms, then the prevailing situation could have been avoided. He observed that the question of how verification of voters would be carried out, was a legal question.

He further observed that since verification of thumb impression of voters was not possible through a mechanical process, it can be attempted via forensic tests.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Ibrahim Jatoi’s counsel Akram Sheikh said that his client was declared as successful but on the plea of his rival candidate Aftab Shaban Mirani, the election tribunal had called for re-polling in 21 polling stations. In re-polling, Jatoi lost by 233 votes.

Sheikh contended that the election tribunal’s decision to call for re-polling was illegal since it had given a ruling based on the report of NADRA. “According to the law, NADRA has no role in the verification of voters.”

The counsel further stated that under the law, whosoever levels allegations of rigging, should have to prove it. He then requested the bench to issue guidance about the future role of NADRA.