- ECP tells SC purchase of biometric machines would be accomplished by end of 2015, regular LB polls possible by April 2015
- CJP questions biometric system’s reliability as KP AAG dreams of exemplary polls
According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s reply submitted in the Supreme Court (SC) over holding local bodies elections through biometric system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s demand of holding local body elections in the province could not be entertained before September 15, 2015 as the process of purchase of biometric machines would be accomplished by the end of next year.
The ECP’s statement suggests that the tender for the purchase of biometric machines would be prepared by November 28 whereas auction would take place by January 10. Technical inspection of the machines would take place by January and the financial tender would be quoted by March 10. The purchase order of the biometric machine would be complied by March 10 and would be delivered by July 17 whereas data integration process in the biometric machines would be done by September 3.
The report states time was required to buy biometric machines. However, elections could be held in KP without biometric system by April 2015 and that the schedule for the elections would be issued in the same month of next year.
While hearing the case, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Nasirul Mulk remarked that the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) did not have record of fingerprints of 11 percent people. “What will happen if biometric system fails during the polls?”
The CJP questioned as to why the KP government had decided to hold local government elections through biometric system in the entire province when they had earlier citied using the system in only District Ghazi as a pilot project.
“Transparent polls can be held without biometric system as well. Polls under this system will cost more and would cause delay. What will happen if biometric system fails? There is huge gap between March, April and December,” the CJP observed.
KP Additional Advocate General (AAG) Waqar Ahmed Khan said that the KP government wanted to hold exemplary polls and the biometric system would not cause any delay.
Meanwhile, the three-member bench directed Khan to seek directives from the KP government on the issue. The court also issued directives to present a report regarding local government elections in Sindh and Punjab.
The case hearing has been adjourned till December 1.