ECP dares Khan to walk his talk

• ECP secy asks PTI chief to prove charges of printing of extra ballot papers
• Claims ECP has record of every ballot paper printed, says notice issued to printing press owner accused of printing extra ballot papers
• NADRA DG says authority could verify thumb impression of both magnetic and normal ink

Amidst the deepening controversy surrounding May 2013 general election, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Monday presented a fact sheet to the electoral reforms committee challenging Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s allegations that extra ballot papers were published during last year’s polls.

Briefing the 33-member Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms (PCER) headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, ECP Secretary Ishtiak Ahmed Khan maintained that last year’s general election had been applauded in the country’s history.

Referring to PTI’s allegations, the ECP secretary said, “Quarters which have levelled these allegations should prove them before appropriate forum.” Khan added that they have the record of every single ballot paper printed.

The ECP secretary said that the owner of the printing press in Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, who had been accused of printing extra ballot papers, had been served a legal notice.

“We are a constitutional body and issued a rebuttal but cannot deliver speeches on it,” the secretary candidly responded to a question asking why the ECP had not clarified allegations levelled against it earlier.

“The entire record containing the names of representatives of the returning officers (ROs) along with details of the exact number of ballot paper books handed over to them is available with the government’s printing presses which can be produced as and when required by any competent forum that may be appointed for the purpose of investigations,” Khan said.

Refuting allegations of extra ballot papers printed in five divisions of Punjab, the secretary said, “It is a matter of record that in all these five divisions, almost 100 percent of the ballot papers had already been distributed to the ROs by May 9, 2013, who had carried out bulk breaking of these ballot papers and prepared the sealed bags containing ballot papers for handing over to the presiding officers the day before the polls on May 10, 2013.”

During the meeting, Printing Corporation of Pakistan (PCP) also briefed the panel regarding the printing process of ballot papers.

Khan explained the procedure for selection of specified paper used for ballot papers and its printing under the supervision of army troops.

However, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed protested that, “People are printing fake currency notes, including US dollar and you are saying that paper is not available in the market.”

While PTI members were not present in Monday’s meeting, Rashid attended the meeting and raised several questions and left before the meeting concluded.

The meeting was also attended by Farooq H Naek, Syed Naveed Qamar, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, Ejazul Haq, Talha Mehmood, Sahibzada Tariqullah, Abdur Rahim Mandokhel, Col (r) Tahir Hussain Mashadi among others.

Moreover, categorically rejecting the impression that magnetic ink had impacted 2013 general elections, the PCER was informed that National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) could verify thumb impression of both magnetic and well as normal ink.

If the thumb impression is clear without any overlapping or misprint, it would be read by the NADRA system, NADRA’s Director General Syed Muzaffar Nadir said.

Addressing the meeting, the finance minister said that the ECP adopted the same procedure for conducting the general elections which is being practiced for last 40 years.

So if there are any shortcomings in the system that needed to be removed, ECP should introduce biometric system in next general elections to ensure transparency, he added.