Overseas Pakistanis’ vote right: NADRA submits report to LHC

Overseas Pakistanis’ vote right: NADRA submits report to LHC

Web Desk
May 25, 2022

Overseas Pakistanis’ vote right: NADRA submits report to LHC

National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) submitted a detailed report regarding I-voting to Lahore High Court.

Justice Shujaat Ali Khan was hearing a petition by an overseas Pakistani living in Australia. Despite court’s clear directions, ECP Secretary Umar Amin did not appear before it and nor submitted any reply regarding the preparation of I-voting mechanism for overseas Pakistanis.

The report says on the direction of Supreme of Pakistan in a constitution petition 2018 titled Imran Khan and others versus Federation of Pakistan and others, NADRA devised a mechanism for voting by overseas Pakistanis from abroad. Resultantly, in April 2018, after developing a detailed Business Requirement Document (BRD) in this regard, a formal contract was signed by NADRA with the Election Commission of Pakistan for an internet-voting (“i-voting”) solution enabling overseas Pakistanis to cast vote in the elections. The report contained that a foolproof i-voting mechanism could not be ensured for the then scheduled general elections of 2018, the i-voting system was initially implemented as a pilot project in the bye-elections held in 38 constituencies on 14.10.2018 and 13.12.2018 a foolproof i-voting mechanism could not be ensured for the then scheduled general elections of 2018, the i-voting system was initially implemented as a pilot project in the bye-elections held in 38 constituencies on 14.10.2018 and 13.12.2018in line with section 94(1) of the Elections Act, 2017.

The report said the federal government hired the consultants to evaluate the i-voting solution used in the bye-election and present the analysis, design and implementation of i-voting for overseas Pakistanis.

As per the findings of consultants’ report shared by federal government with NADRA and ECP, it was recommended to either upgrade the voter registration process or completely re-design/ develop the i-voting solution. Importantly, the report identified and suggested improvements majorly in voter privacy, encryption methodology, auditability and verifiability.

Well-placed sources in NADRA said that the consultants suggested the timeline in the report for the development of such solution was 18 to 36 months. A timeline of up to 18 months was suggested for modification of existing system prepared by the then Chairman NADRA Usman Mobin to cater for the identified vulnerabilities and up to 36 months for designing and developments of a new system.

The report of consultants had exposed the system vulnerabilities in terms of voter privacy, encryption, auditability and verifiability, NADRA proposed and presented a new system to the Election Commission of Pakistan with a completely different design catering for all the identified vulnerabilities. The same presentation was also made before the concerned Committee in Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs on 03.08.2021.

However, NADRA’s report submitted in LHC says that on 06.08.2021, NADRA shared a detailed Project Plan for preparing a new I-voting system in consonance with the findings of the consultants regarding the old I-voting system used in by-election 2018 with the Election Commission of Pakistan for its consideration. Cost Estimates of Rs. 2.4 billion and Design document were also submitted in pursuance thereof on 10.08.2021 and 30.08.2021 respectively.

NADRA report further said that as compared to the timeline of 18 to 36 months suggested by the consultant (M/s MinsaIT) in its report, NADRA has squeezed the same to the minimum possible and proposed a 12-month period in its proposal to the Election Commission of Pakistan for designing, development and implementation of the new i-voting solution which inter alia includes placement of independent infrastructure for its hosting and operations by ECP. It may be mentioned that the proposed solution is hardware-intensive and procurement of hardware, its implementation, configuration, testing and training will continue throughout in tandem with the 12 months’ timeline, which is apart from any unforeseen delay that may be caused due to Covid or any other uncontrollable factors. Importantly, 75% of the required budget for delivery of the new i-voting solution is meant for capacity building i.e. independent infrastructure for the Election Commission of Pakistan to own, host and operate the solution.

NADRA stipulated that based on the findings and recommendations contained in consultants’ (M/s MinsaIT) report, a completely new i-voting solution with independent infrastructure owned and managed by the Election Commission of Pakistan is required to be implemented and developed since the architecture and vulnerabilities of previous i-voting solution stand exposed by the publication of M/s MinsaIT’s report that could be exploited by delinquent persons/organizations.

The reports contained that if and when the Election Commission of Pakistan agrees to NADRA’s proposal for development of the new i-voting solution, a fresh contract will be signed between the Election Commission of Pakistan and NADRA with or without modifications after addressing the concerns of the Election Commission of Pakistan. The 12-month implementation time required by NADRA for design, development, testing and implementation of the new solution will obviously start after contract by ECP.

NADRA’s detailed reply says that NADRA remains willing, ready and committed to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan to develop the its proposed i-voting solution within the minimum possible 12-month time as and when NADRA’s proposal culminates into a contract with the Election Commission of Pakistan after finalising all modalities in the interest of conducting the elections through i-voting honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law.

Justice Shujaat Ali Khan adjourned the hearing till June 14.