ISLAMABAD, May 21: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had been informed before the May 11 elections that the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) did not have the capacity to verify large numbers of thumbprints of voters but no heed was paid to overcome the deficiency, sources in the two organisations told Dawn on Tuesday.

It has been learnt that Nadra Chairman Tariq Malik wrote three letters to Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, demanding upgradation of the authority’s thumb verification system but there was no response from the ECP.

“The first letter was written on June 19 last year, followed by two letters on March 10 and 13 this year,” the sources said.

According to the ECP and Nadra, more than 300 complaints have been filed with the ECP regarding misuse of thumb impressions in elections but the number of constituencies from where complaints were lodged could not be ascertained.

According to estimates of the ECP, these complaints were filed from 10 per cent of the total number of constituencies of national and provincial assemblies but they made the whole election process controversial.

When contacted, ECP spokesman Khursheed Alam said he had no knowledge about the Nadra’s letters.

It is believed that Nadra would have to verify millions of thumbprints. However, according to Nadra’s present capacity it can only verify 100 thumbprints a day.

Meanwhile, caretaker Prime Minister retired Justice Mir Hazar Khan Khoso on Tuesday approved Rs90 million for Nadra to purchase software and hardware for thumb impressions’ verification process.

The prime minister directed Nadra to ensure its procurement and to make the facility operational within 10 days. To expedite the installation of the facility, the prime minister permitted Nadra to process the software and necessary equipment through negotiated purchase under Rule 42 (d) (ii) of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Rules. This will allow the authority to negotiate with manufacturers directly to save time and money.

Talking to Dawn, the Nadra chairman said the authority currently had no system to verify huge amount of thumbprints. However, he was hopeful that after acquiring new software and hardware facility his organisation would be able to scan 500,000 thumbprints a day.