ECP announces use of biometric machines in by-election of NA

A three-member bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja held hearing of the Islamabad LB elections case.

He said that suggestions and objections would be sought from general public in the 15 days and later final notification would be issued in this regard.

The court was informed that required legislation to hold elections had also been completed as recently President Mamnoon Hussain had signed into law the Islamabad Capital Territory LG Bill 2015.

“Though the whole process of holding elections on July 25, 2015 was scrapped, the ECP has yet to return the fee”, Shah said, adding that the court should direct the ECP to return the money.

Justice Khawaja asked if the government does not appreciate local authorities governing at grass root level. The court instructed the authorities concerned to publish the laws on Law Ministry’s website. He said that electoral rules and regulations have been prepared which would be uploaded on the Interior Ministry website.

The ECP has already taken all contesting candidates on board and briefed them comprehensively about the measure, sharing with them the list of selected polling stations where the technology will be used, the objectives of the pilot project and standard operating procedures of using biometric machines. Justice Khawaja remarked there is no need to keep funds when the elections were not held.

The hearing of the case has been adjourned until August 27.