NADRA Develops Voting Software for Overseas Pakistanis

As instructed by the Supreme Court, National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has developed a voting software that would allow the 4.5 million overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes in the coming general elections.

The software was acquired and developed for a total cost of $1.5 million and will allow overseas Pakistanis in 15 different countries to vote at 150 polling stations established in their respective countries. The 15 countries include US, UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia, UAE, France and Australia etc.

According to NADRA Chairman Tariq Malik, almost 70% of overseas Pakistanis are in Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries and there is a ban on political gathering and rallies in these countries due to which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have to get permission for polling process in those countries.

“Permission from those countries and travel arrangements of NADRA officers have to be completed by April 5 because establishment of polling stations for e-voting will be a lengthy process. One computer, printer, thumb digitizer and secure internet connection will be required at every polling station.”

However, approval of the voting software is still pending as Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has yet to review the software and after ECP’s approval, the Supreme Court will be briefed regarding the software.

Mr. Malik said the facility of e-voting would be available for overseas Pakistanis through embassies and polling stations will be set up in designated missions. Installation of a biometric system will also be required in order to avoid casting of bogus votes.

Voters will be required to come to the polling stations on the voting day along with their CNIC and machine readable passports. Chairman NADRA has assured that the voting procedure will remain simple and individual’s vote will remain anonymous.

On completion of polling, the ECP will have electronic results available in its database. Constituency-wise aggregated result will be printed by the ECP and faxed to returning officers for inclusion in preliminary results.

“Although software appears to be safe, it has never been used in Pakistan, so NADRA will suggest that polling for overseas Pakistanis should be arranged two or three days prior to elections,” he said.