ISLAMABAD: Various measures taken by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in last couple of years are expected to discourage rigging trends in upcoming general elections.
The ECP had embarked on a five-year Strategic Plan a few years back and action proposed in this plan are gradually pursued though some direly needed laws are still awaited by the Commission.
The steps like political financing and Computerized Electoral Rolls, when implemented diligently, will not only discourage past like free play but also pave way for common men to jump into politicking.
While effective scrutiny process and implementation of Article 62 and 63 will be another tool to bring forth neat and clean politicians.
After completion of computerized electoral rolls, the Commission finalized a system for political financing to stop lavish spending during the general elections.
Electoral rolls have been finalized by removing fake votes and arrangements are being finalized to discourage all kinds of rigging.
The Commission is confident to foil the rigging bids like double stamping rival candidates' valid votes to make them invalid and buying the CNICs of supporters of rival candidates prior to their going to polling stations, barring them from casting their votes.
An official when asked to respond to these queries, mentioned to certain election laws and said, the Commission has a commendable system in place and once it is implemented in letter and spirit, the situation will further improve. "But, for the desired results, the Commission also needs support of the political parties and the common voters."
In this particular matter, he also emphasized proper training of the polling agents who should know their rights and duties as explained in the election laws.
"We have the law that ensure transparency. No Presiding Officer can facilitate any candidate to rig the polls if the polling agents perform their duties efficiently," the official said.
The laws are so strict that Presiding Officer cannot help anybody to rig the polls because he has to show each and everything to the polling agents like cast votes, vote count, used ballot papers and the remaining and paste result at open place after signatures by the polling agents.
In whole of this process, the Presiding Officer is bound to get the signatures of the polling agents on each activity. Now if the polling agent feels anything being done unlawfully, he is empowered not to sign the result and also record reasons for not doing so.
"Laws could have needed improvement in other areas. But, as far as polling process is concerned, the laws are sufficient and clear," he added.
Answering another question, the official stated that pictures on electoral rolls and magnetized thumb impression will also help detect the fake voters. But, the polling agents along with other staff have to be vigilant.
He said even very few polling agents and voters know that rigging is a corrupt practice for which there is three years imprisonment and Rs 5000 fine. "This penalty will be further enhanced to punish those violating sanctity of the vote."
"The Commission is doing utmost to enhance credibility of the polls. But, we need support from all players like political parties, election staff, polling agents and voters. Awareness can also play a key role," he added.
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