ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) will issue all under-process computerised national identity cards (CNICs) before the July 25 general elections, but overseas Pakistanis will remain ineligible to cast their votes unless they return to the country.

The decisions were taken at an important meeting of Nadra held at its headquarters here on Friday. The meeting was presided over by Nadra chairman Usman Mubeen.

The meeting also decided that all Nadra offices would remain open during all days before the polls, including Saturday and Sunday, till 9pm and even on polling day on Wednesday (July 25) and the CNICs would continue to be issued till 2pm.

The authority also decided to print all cards on an urgent basis, including those falling under the normal category.

“Keep all offices open during the weekend and keep its printing press functioning round-the-clock,” the Nadra chief ordered the staff during the meeting.

According to a press release issued by Nadra, all applications received before July 16 will be processed on a priority basis. The applicants who applied for renewal of CNICs after July 16 have been permitted to keep their old CNICs so that the voters holding expired CNICs can also cast their votes.

Applicants can receive their cards from Nadra offices till 9pm and all Nadra offices will remain open till 2pm on election day as well.

According to Nadra, it has also issued special instructions to the relevant courier company in this regard.

Overseas Pakistanis

Meanwhile, Nadra clarified on Friday that no overseas Pakistani can cast their vote without coming back to the country.

The clarification was made in the wake of confusion created by news on social media that overseas Pakistanis can cast their votes through Internet voting.

The authority termed the news incorrect and clarified that no overseas Pakistani could cast their vote without coming back to the country.

Even those overseas Pakistanis who return to the country before elections cannot cast their votes unless they fall into the category of registered voters.

“They [overseas Pakistanis] have to come back to Pakistan to cast their vote,” said an official press release of Nadra. It said that a case of online voting for overseas Pakistanis was under trial in the Supreme Court and the next hearing of the case would be held after the elections.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2018