FOR the past few months the only thing being heard in the country was elections.

All politicians were busy in their election campaigns and the people were highly excited, hoping for a positive change for the country.

The Election Commission of Pakistan seemed to be working efficiently, and with the help of the media it showed itself to be working very efficiently.

Unfortunately, my experience with it was not good. The address in my CNIC was of Karachi but currently I reside in Islamabad.

Being a part of Pakistan, I should have been allowed to vote here but there were some paperwork requirements by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

I had completed all the paperwork before time and was hoping that my polling station will be changed to Islamabad from Karachi, but I was wrong.

At the time of the submission of document I was assured that the work will be done but it was never done.

My voting booth remained in Karachi and as a result it got wasted (or went to someone I didn’t want to).

I am sure thousands of people must have wasted their vote in the same way. In this world of technology everyone having his Computerised National Identity Card should be able to vote from any place in Pakistan.

I request the authorities to take action and make sure that no vote is wasted in the future as each vote is precious.

Z. BABAR SIDDIQUIIslamabad

Verifying thumb impression

BOTH the Election Commission of Pakistan and Nadra officials had talks about voters’ thumb impression verification. They announced that for this a software is needed which will cost millions of rupees.

Furthermore, a candidate challenging results or who wishes to opt for this verification has to pay Rs10 to Rs15. Keeping in mind this cost involvement, the existing alternative should be considered.

According to the past practice, there was a system of manual checking and counting. All the presiding officers and the district returning officers are responsible for it. They have to calculate and counter-check all ballot books and papers. They should verify with the voter list to check polled votes.

This effective measure and cost involved in thumb impression verification can be eliminated. For this, only the willingness of the ECP staff is required.

Only hardworking and honest staff can do it. So there is no need to go for hi-tech software and computer technology. For the next time it should be developed with reduced cost as a matter of routine. It seems that an emergency situation is being created to purchase the system unnecessarily.

DR ALFRED CHARLES
Karachi