ECP to test biometric machines at NA-120 polling stations
The experiment would not affect results of the by-elections
August 28, 2017
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has bought 100 biometric machines to test their use at 100 booths of 39 polling stations.
While briefing the media on Monday, ECP Assistant Secretary Fida Muhammad said candidates will be apprised on the use of the machines and their approval along with signatures will be taken on an affidavit.
The ECP official added that a meeting of by-election candidates would be held on September 12 where use of the biometric machines would be demonstrated.
However, Informational Technology Director General Khizar Hayat said the use of biometric machines would not be effective for the results of NA-120 by-elections. He added that before the machines will be put to use, voting will be carried out manually, as per the previously followed process. It would be after the manual voting that the biometric machines will be tested at 39 out of 220 polling stations of the constituency.
Maryam Nawaz to begin campaign tomorrow
On the other hand, Maryam Nawaz will be starting to campaign on behalf of her mother begum Kulsoom Nawaz for the NA-120 by-elections.
According to sources in Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Maryam will also inaugurate a polling station in Mozang on Tuesday. She will be accompanied by her husband Captain (retd) Safdar in campaigns for Kulsoom Nawaz.
Since Kulsoom Nawaz has been diagnosed with throat cancer by doctors in London, she will be away for treatment and would hence not be able to run the campaign for the by-elections.
