Islamabad, Senator Taj Haider of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), serving as the in-charge of the Central Election Cell, has expressed significant concerns to the Chief Election Commissioner about the use of the EMS mobile app for transmitting general election results. The senator’s apprehensions center around the app’s reliability and its potential impact on the transparency of the electoral process.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, Senator Haider’s letter outlined several issues with the EMS application, which is being introduced by the Election Commission of Pakistan for the first time in the upcoming General Election 2023. He highlighted the unfamiliarity with the EMS app, comparing it to the failures of the RTS system in the 2018 general elections, which led to accusations of massive rigging and delays in the announcement of provisional results.

The senator pointed out that the EMS app requires specific types of mobile phones, which may not be available to all Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers. The complexity of downloading and operating the app, especially on polling day, could lead to significant operational challenges. Additionally, there are concerns about the need for operational cameras on phones to use the app effectively.

Senator Haider, who was a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms, recalled that during the committee’s meetings, which were attended by senior officials of the Election Commission, there were discussions on transmitting counting results (Form 45) to Returning Officers. The Election Commission officials had advised against legislating this proposal due to potential issues with internet connectivity and other glitches.

In his letter, Senator Haider suggested using the more familiar and widely accessible WhatsApp application for transmitting election results. He proposed that WhatsApp numbers of presiding officers in each polling station be shared with candidates and their election agents in every constituency. This would allow the transmission of photographs of Form 45 to Returning Officers and also enable sharing with candidates and agents. The senator believes that creating WhatsApp groups would facilitate communication during polling hours and allow candidates to lodge complaints promptly.

Senator Haider’s letter reflects the PPP’s concerns about the integrity and transparency of the upcoming general elections, emphasizing the need for reliable and familiar systems to ensure the credibility of the electoral process.