Electoral rolls

The foundations of any vote-based system are accurate lists of those eligible to cast their vote. The compilation and upkeep of lists of registered voters is the job of the Election Commission of Pakistan (working in conjunction with Nadra) and it seems the ECP has been slacking of late. The Supreme Court has directed the ECP to have the voters’ lists prepared by February 23, 2012, and that the lists be prepared transparently and no excuses for anything otherwise will be entertained. There are 36 million votes still unverified, and when multiple or fraudulent identities are almost a commonplace this is a matter of considerable importance. The chief justice has expressed his dissatisfaction with the way in which the process of preparation seems to be deliberately delayed.
In case of a delay in the compilation of the lists or a poll conducted wherein significant numbers of voters were able to register their votes through multiple or fraudulent identities, the validity of the entire election may be justifiably called into question. There may be difficulties in compiling lists in areas that have been flood-affected and there are also areas where active conflict precludes enumeration; but these are, relatively speaking, small. Only six districts of Sindh are flood-affected, for instance, and there is no impediment to enumeration in the rest of the province. Likewise zones of conflict are clear and again relatively small. An accurate electoral roll is key to a successful election. The fewer inconsistencies or fraudulent votes, the better the chance of us advancing down the democratic road. But if the lists are tampered with or substantially incomplete then accusations post-poll of rigging become credible.

Copyright Thenews 27.12.2011