MDP refuses to sign voter list claiming problems in the list

MDP has refused to sign the voter list for the Local Council Election set for 6 May claiming that there are problems with the list.

Speaking at a press conference at the MDP Office today, the Deputy Chairperson of the party, Ali Niyaz said that there are major issues with the voter list released by the Elections Commission yesterday and signing it before any amendment will obstruct a free and fair election.

He said that the voter list this time does not have the ID Card numbers and so there is no way to verify it is an accurate list of voters.

Ali Niyaz said that the most important secret to hold in an election is how they are going to vote but the voter has to be revealed openly.

“The last election, in 2014, voter list came with photos as well.” Niyaz said.

Nullifying the vote of 2013, the Supreme Court made a ruling to No. 5 of the Guideline saying that candidates or representatives of the candidates have to sign the final voter list to it’s legitimacy.

The Deputy Chairperson of MDP said that the party have informed the issues on the list to the Elections Commission via letter but with the deadline to sign the list expires at 9 a.m. tomorrow, there have been no response from the Commission so far.

The Legal Director of MDP, Hisaan Hussain also spoke at the press conference today saying the legitimacy of the voter list has to be verified to ensure a free and fair election for the people. He said that it is difficult to sign the list without the things noted and without verifying.