ECP directs CD to form inquiry body

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Thursday directed the Cabinet Division to constitute an inquiry committee to probe failure of Result Transmission System (RTS) during the conduct of polls on July 25.

In a letter written to the Cabinet Division, the ECP said the inquiry must conclude within four weeks. If required, other expert opinion may also be utilized after due permission of the ECP, it said.

“You are hereby directed, in terms of Article 220 read with Article 218(3) of the Constitution, to constitute an inquiry committee consisting of technical experts from National Telecommunication and Information Technology Security Board (NTISB) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA),” the ECP letter read.

The ECP also specified terms of reference for the inquiry committee as well that include analyze the concept of RTS in terms of its implementability, analyze the project of RTS as envisaged by the ECP, analyze preparation and finalization of RTS project by National Database and Registration Authority, analyze quality and extent of training imparted to various users under the project.

Other terms of reference for the inquiry committee include: analyze the trail of events taking place on the night of July 25 and thereafter, fix responsibility of the responsible in terms of all the above and make recommendations for future course of action.

The ECP has ordered inquiry into the RTS following criticism from multiple political parties including Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal. The ECP announced results of July 25 polls after 56 hours of elections due to failure of the RTS.