FOLLOWING confirmation of bogus voting in a Karachi National Assembly constituency last month, a Nadra probe has found that a massive number of votes cast in another city constituency, NA-256, was unverifiable. Results for the seat, won by an MQM candidate, were challenged by a PTI contender, which led an election tribunal to ask Nadra to investigate the rigging allegations by examining the election material. What emerged should make all those interested in making the electoral process in Pakistan more transparent take notice. Only 6,815 thumb impressions could be verified (over 84,000 votes were cast) while a number of anomalies were found concerning the rest of the ballots. These include the fact that over 57,000 thumbprints could not be authenticated because they were of poor quality, while more serious questions swirl around the fact that over 11,000 counterfoils featured CNIC numbers that do not exist, while hundreds of people not registered in the constituency managed to cast their vote here. Near identical concerns were raised by Nadra’s report investigating rigging allegations in NA-258.

Considering the shocking numbers involved, a wider investigation is needed to see just what the extent of manipulation in the May polls was. What is clear at this point is that ballot boxes in Karachi and possibly elsewhere were stuffed. These two cases have also proved Nadra’s ability to home in on bogus votes. Now, wherever candidates have filed genuine rigging complaints, without upsetting the apple cart the election tribunals should task Nadra with investigating the extent of fraud and proceed with re-elections where deemed fit. This is important so that manipulation of the electoral process is not tolerated further. If candidates are named and shamed for tinkering with votes, perhaps political parties will refrain from indulging in such shenanigans in future.