ECP rules out massive disenfranchisement in polls

ISLAMABAD: Ruling out reports about a massive disenfranchisement in the upcoming polls, the Election Commission of Pakistan on Friday said it had obtained data of 800,000 voters currently out of electoral rolls, from the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) on Oct 1, and their data entry was in progress.

The ECP made it clear that all of them would be able to exercise their right to vote in the next general elections.

Reacting to an analysis by a coalition of civil society organisations, the commission said as Oct 25 was the cut-off date for registration of voters as well as corrections in the voters’ data, all those to be issued CNICs by that date would be enrolled as voters.

The commission said the analysis that the ECP data showed some 13m voters would be disenfranchised was contrary to facts and based on wrong information.

Says data of 0.8m voters currently out of electoral rolls obtained from Nadra

It said under Section 27 of the Elections Act, the voters are registered either on permanent or temporary address mentioned on their CNICs, and it has nothing to do with the population statistics.

The ECP statement came a day after Pattan-Coalition-38 — an umbrella organisation of several civil society organisations, labour unions and intellectuals — in its findings said widespread over and under-registration of voters is likely to cause massive disenfranchisement of men and women, as well as leaving exceptionally high room for rigging and corrupt practices.

The analysis — based on comparison of the total population of districts across the country according to the latest census and the registered voters in these districts — said a wild variance in registered voters at the district and constituency levels was also revealed.

“For instance, 78 per cent and 75pc of population of Murree and Jhelum, respectively, were registered as voters. In other words, on average about 18pc extra (dubious) votes exist in these two districts,” it added.

In Kohistan, the registration was just 18pcpc. In Balochistan’s Kech, Panjgur, Surab, Shirani, Washuk, Khuzdar and Kohlu, about 25pc of the population was registered as voters.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2023

http://dlvr.it/SxQjTn

Comments

Sindh police chief takes notice over viral alleged aerial firing videos of DIG East’s son

Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon took notice after videos of aerial firing allegedly by the son of a high-ranking Karachi police official surfaced on Thursday. Videos shared on social media allegedly showed the son of Karachi East Deputy Inspector General of Police Azfar Mahesar firing a pistol and rifles into the air while travelling in a luxury car. In one such video, policemen were also purportedly visible. Footage of the alleged incidents went viral on social media. A statement issued today from the Sindh police said IGP Memon ordered an inquiry against the DIG East and directed Karachi’s additional IGP to carry out the investigation. The statement added that departmental action would be initiated upon the inquiry’s completion. It said the investigation would also probe whether the weapons used in the incident were officially issued or not. “No one will be allowed to spread fear and chaos like this,” IGP Memon vowed. Meanwhile, DIG Mahesar

Casualties feared in Dir clashes between FC, intruding militants: reports

LOWER DIR: Casualties are feared on both sides as militants from Afghanistan reportedly attacked Frontier Corps (FC) personnel at multiple locations at the Pak-Afghan border in Maidan area of Lower Dir district on Saturday, as per unconfirmed reports. According to local residents and official sources, there were reports of militants’ infiltration from the Afghan side via the Shahi border area at Lamotai Top, Suripao and Safarai forest. However, the reports were yet to be confirmed by Inter Services Public Relations, the military’s media wing. On getting information about the alleged infiltration, troops of the paramilitary force, FC, led by Captain Yasin, Captain Asfandiar and Subedar Hamza, advanced to block the militants’ movement, as per reports. The militants allegedly attacked the troops, who also retaliated, thus prompting fears of casualties on both sides. The security forces surrounded alleged militants at three different locations. Later, gunship helicopters lau

Family points finger at PPP MNA, two sons in journalist Nasrullah Gadani’s murder in Ghotki

SUKKUR: Slain journalist Nasrullah Gadani’s mother and two relatives have reiterated the allegation in statements recorded under Section 164 CrPC in a Mirpur Mathelo court that Pakistan Peoples Party’s MNA and his two sons had Nasrullah killed through their men. Ms Pathani Gadani, who was complainant in the case, and witnesses, Yaqoub Gadani and Salahuddin Gadani along with their counsel advocate Salahuddin Panhwar appeared before the second civil and first magistrate the other day and told him that PPP MNA Khalid Khan Loond, his sons, Shehbaz Loond, who was chairman of Mirpur Mathelo municipal committee, and Noor Mohammad Loond, had Nasrullah slain but the trio was so powerful that police had not dared include their names in the FIR. They appealed to the court to bring Nasrullah’s real killers to justice as per law and serve speedy justice to the bereaved family. Gadanis’ counsel Salahuddin Panhwar told media persons that the complainant and the witnesses had clearly stated t

News ki dunya

Search This Blog