OLD NATIONAL IDENTITY CARDS ALSO VALID TO THE EXTENT OF PREPARATION OF ELECTORAL ROLLS
Chief Election Commissioner
Islamabad, the 22nd July, 2006.- Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, Secretary, Election Commission has informed that the feedback on the operation of preparation of fresh electoral rolls has indicated that the pace of issuance of Computerized National Identity Cards has not attained the desired level and a large number of eligible voters specially those residing in remote villages and far-flung hilly areas are still without Computerized National Identity Cards The leaders of some of the political parties as well as spokespersons of various Civic Society organization have also been criticizing the restriction of production of CNIC for enrolment as voter, on the ground that it will deprive a large number of eligible voters from registration and their right to vote.
2. It has, therefore, been decided by the Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner, Mr. Justice (R) Qazi Muhammad Farooq that the names of those eligible shall also be entered in the electoral rolls, who possess the National Identity Cards issued under the National Registration Act, 1973. The Notification in this regard has been issued and necessary instructions have accordingly been sent to the enumerating staff that the old National Identity Card may also be treated valid for the purpose of enrolment.
3. The Secretary, Election Commission further clarified that at the outset the old NICs were excluded from the process of enrolment in view of an SRO issued by the Ministry of Interior whereby it was notified that the old NICs issued under National Registration Act, 1973 shall not be valid for any purpose. However, the Ministry of Interior has now removed the embargo to the extent of the preparation of electoral rolls. It has, therefore, been ordered by the Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner that the old NICs are also acceptable in addition to the Computerized National Identity Cards.