ECP directs NADRA to update electoral rolls every month
04 September, 2012
ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to update final electoral rolls (FER-12) by adding 781,735 voters, who were issued CNIC after printing of the rolls on May 31, NADRA spokesperson said in a statement issued on Monday. NADRA has received directions from ECP that names of new CNIC holders should be enrolled as voters on monthly basis, after verifying their physical presence through door-to-door verifications. However, in the first instance, all new CNICs, which were issued by NADRA during the months of June, July and August would be included in the final rolls, statement said. Clarifying the confusion generated by some media reports about difference in number of CNICs issued, the spokesperson said that according to Economic Survey of Pakistan (derived from National Institute of Population Studies), the population of Pakistan in year 2012 was estimated at 180.71 million and the adult-minor ratio was 51.25, meaning that adult population of Pakistan was 92.61 million. The figures excluded Azad Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). NADRA, since 2000, has issued 91,379,788 CNICs to adult citizens. While elaborating the difference between CNICs issued and voter list, the spokesperson stated that at least seven million cards have been issued to citizens of AJK and GB which did not reflect in FER-12 as these citizens were not eligible to vote in general elections in Pakistan and they have separate Election Commission. At least 2,368,393 CNICs issued to AJK citizens who are not residents of Pakistan do not fulfil eligibility criteria of being a voter according to Section 7 of Electoral Rolls Act, 1974. Moreover, 576,474 CNICs have been issued to GB residents and 1,987,225 CNIC holders had died, according to Civil Registration Management System (CRMS) and NADRA death records. Also 250,029 individuals were NICOP holders (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) and their temporary and permanent addresses were of a foreign country. The GB residents and NICOP holders are not included in total count of 84.365 million of FER. The spokesperson added that 17,384 CNIC holders have surrendered their nationality and have obtained POC (Pakistan Origin Card) and 548,568 records are under verification. Once the due verification process is complete, such records would become eligible for induction in voters list. Meanwhile, 484,918 CNICs were forwarded to ECP for verification but were "not verified" hence not registered as voters. The spokesperson added that NADRA understood that there were segments of uncovered population, mainly women, despite NADRA having extended its registration services to the doorsteps of citizens through its mobile registration units and has established 'women only' data acquisition centres and has made issuance of CNIC a free-of-cost activity. A comprehensive community mobilisation campaign by political parties, civil society and media could increase the registration of marginalised cadre. NADRA was ready to go an extra mile for registering any eligible citizen, the spokesperson said. Any individual who obtained CNIC before announcement of general elections, after proper verification of registration officer concerned of ECP, would be enrolled as a voter. Some segments of civil society have estimated adult population as 104.94 million which does not represent the factual position, the spokesperson added. End.
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