Voters List
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) asserts itself as a technologically progressive organization, highlighting over two dozen technological initiatives undertaken since 2020.
Despite these advancements, the voters’ list remains absent from the commission’s website and mobile apps. The ECP justifies this by citing international standards for data security, individual privacy, and compliance with Section 195 of the Elections Act, 2017.
Referencing past incidents like the 2016 United States Presidential election and subsequent events in French and German elections, the ECP emphasizes the susceptibility of online platforms to cyber threats. The commission’s cautious approach aligns with global best practices, aimed at preserving public trust in the electoral system’s integrity.
The ECP acknowledges the substantial investment required for web security to safeguard against hackers. It argues that placing the voters’ list on the website is neither internationally recommended nor technically secure due to the inherent risk of hacking. The commission emphasizes the inability to guarantee the ultimate security of websites, making it against national interest to publish such vital information. This, according to the ECP, would violate Section 195 of the Elections Act, 2017.
Simultaneously, the Returning Officers (ROs) in the capital are scrutinizing the nomination papers of 51 more candidates vying for three National Assembly (NA) seats—NA 46, NA 47, and NA 48. District RO Irfan Nawaz Memon reports that a total of 123 candidates’ nomination papers have been scrutinized so far. The ROs are expected to make decisions on the approval or rejection of these papers on December 30, 2023.
IHC Judge Aurangzeb Says A Dreadful System Is Prevailing Under The Caretaker Government
Meanwhile, in Islamabad, a judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a stern rebuke to the caretaker government on Friday, criticizing what it termed as a “dreadful system” prevailing in the country and casting doubt on its impartiality.
