ECP to act against multiple voting

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Published about 9 hours ago

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ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to proceed against people who cast more than one vote in the 2013 elections.

The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has alleged large-scale vote fraud in its reports on thumb impression verification of voters in some national and provincial assembly constituencies. In a startling revelation it identified a man who had cast as many as 310 votes at a polling station for women.

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Nasirul Mulk presided over a meeting of the ECP on Monday, attended by all its members and senior officials.

An official told Dawn that the commission had decided to summon Nadra reports submitted to election tribunals in all cases which had been disposed of. He said those found guilty of casting more than one vote would be tried under the Pakistan Penal Code. He said the commission would determine if the act of multiple voting came under the ambit of impersonation.

Under Section 80 of the Representation of People Act, 1976, a person is guilty of impersonation if he votes, or applies for a ballot paper for voting, as some other person whether that ‘other person’ is dead, alive or fictitious.

The ECP official said impersonation came under corrupt practices, and if the charge of impersonation was proved against a person it might entail a sentence of imprisonment of up to three years, or a fine of Rs5,000 or both. He agreed that there was a need to enhance punishment of the serious offence and said it was part of the electoral reforms proposed by the commission.