ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced Tuesday it will conduct by-election in Haripur's NA-19 constituency using biometric machines in a test run on 30 selected polling stations.

According to the ECP, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Ufone will render technical assistance in this regard.

The launch of the test project is in line with the desire of political parties, which was conveyed through the Electoral Reforms Committee of Pakistan (ERCP).

The ERCP recommended that by-election be conducted through biometric machines to educate the general public about its use in electoral activity.

"Since the whole exercise would be performed purely on an experimental basis, the impact of the use of biometric machines in the by-election would certainly not disturb the electoral process in the constituency," the ECP said.

The ECP has already taken all contesting candidates on board and briefed them comprehensively about the measure, sharing with them the list of selected polling stations where the technology will be used, the objectives of the pilot project and standard operating procedures of using biometric machines.

All contesting candidates have welcomed the use of biometric machines as an experiment and have also expressed their consent in this regard, resolving to extend complete support to the ECP by sensitising their polling agents and educating voters at large about the use of such machinery.

Interactive training sessions on the use of biometric machines will be completed on Aug. 13, while the by-poll is scheduled for Aug.16.