The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has refuted a news report thatcontained numerous inaccuracies and false information, which incorrectlyclaimed that approximately 13 million people wouldn’t be able to vote inthe upcoming general elections.
In a statement, an ECP spokesperson described the news report, featured ina well-known daily newspaper on Friday, as being riddled with inaccuraciesand misinformation. The spokesperson clarified that voter registration isdetermined by the address provided on a person’s computerized NationalIdentity Card (CNIC) and is not connected to population statistics.
Unlike a census that requires physical presence, voter registration relieson the address specified on the CNIC. Additionally, the election commissionhas removed the freeze on electoral rolls, effective from September 28,2023, ensuring the registration of all eligible individuals.
This freeze had been in place since July 20, 2017, as per Section 39 of theElections Act, 2017. The spokesperson emphasized that the electioncommission has been actively raising public awareness about voterregistration, exclusions, and accuracy through daily media campaigns, andthis will continue until October 25, 2023.
Moreover, the election commission has obtained data for over 800,000individuals who received CNICs from NADRA on October 1, 2023. Data entry iscurrently in progress, guaranteeing that all these eligible citizens canparticipate in the upcoming general elections and cast their votes.
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Furthermore, the election commission has set October 25, 2023, as the finaldate for voter registration, exclusions, and verifications. This means thatindividuals who obtain their CNICs by October 25, 2023, can be assured oftheir eligibility to have their votes registered.
The spokesperson underlined that the election commission is fully aware ofits constitutional and legal obligations, as well as the rights of thevoters, and the process of constituency delimitation will not impede on thevoters’ rights.