99% OF THE VERIFICATION PROCESS OF ELECTORAL ROLLS COMPLETED
Islamabad, the 31st October, 2011.- The ECP has completed an important stage of preparation of accurate, error-free computerized Electoral Rolls in collaboration with NADRA as 99% nationwide verification process has successfully been completed. The ratio is 100% in KPK and Punjab Provinces except Lahore city where it will be completed in the coming two, three days. It is 100% in 26 districts out of 30 districts of Balochistan, while in the remaining four Districts i-e Panjgor, Awaran, Mastung and Washuk efforts are underway to cover it in coming two weeks. Verification process has also almost been completed 100% in 15 districts of Sindh Province, while the remaining 12 flood-affected districts will be evaluated after two weeks.
In this regard, a meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was held today under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr. Justice (Retd) Hamid Ali Mirza and attended by Hon’ble Members ECP, namely, Justice (Retd) Muhammad Roshan Essani, Justice (Retd) Riaz Kayani, and Justice (Retd) Fazal-ur-Rehman. Chairman NADRA, Mr. Ali Arshad Hakeem; Census Commissioner, Mr. Habibullah Khan were present in the meeting. Mr. Ishtiak Ahmad Khan, Secretary ECP, Provincial Election Commissioners and other senior officers of the ECP also attended the meeting.
Mr. Ishtiak Ahmad Khan, Secretary ECP briefed the Commission and informed that despite floods, adverse law and order situation in some parts of the country; all efforts were made by the ECP to complete the verification exercise of Computerized Electoral Rolls-2011 by the target date i-e 31st October 2011. He further said that the ECP has now almost completed the process and will hand over the collected data to NADRA before 15th November 2011 for scanning, data entry and printing purposes which will later be displayed nationwide for 21 days at 50,000 display centres for inviting claims, objections, and corrections.
Chairman NADRA briefed about the process involved in preparation of Preliminary Electoral Rolls (PERs) and assured that NADRA will complete the process of scanning, data entry and printing etc within the stipulated time.
As regards to SMS service to be provided to the voters for verification their individual records, it was decided that the IT Wing will take necessary step for lodging this service.
About fresh Delimitation of Constituencies, the Commission observed that as per Constitution of Pakistan, fresh delimitation is carried out after publication of detailed survey report of population census by the Ministry of Statistics. As no date for starting population census has finalized, the ECP therefore decided to ask the concerned authorities to accelerate the process of population census in the country.
It was also decided by the Commission that Revising Authorities to receive claims, objections regarding Electoral Rolls-2011 shall be senior government servants.
The ECP also directed Chairman NADRA Mr. Ali Arshad Hakeem to take all possible steps to ensure registration of all 18 years citizens and overcome the problems being faced by the people in obtaining CNICs. Chairman NADRA assured the ECP that all the complaints have been noted down and he will personally look into the matters and will issue directions to resolve the problems immediately.