ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has claimed that the first ever country-wide test run of the Election Management System (EMS) was a success.

A day after the mock exercise of the system, it said the results were useful and encouraging results. The claim came amidst concerns being raised by some over the decision to use the system.

“Offices of Returning Officers (ROs) at 859 locations across the country participated in the experimental exercise during which the phases of fiber/DSL connectivity, EMS app login (log-in), usage and transmission and tabulation results were fully practiced,” the commission said in a statement.

The electoral body explained that the main purpose of EMS was compilation and tabulation of results at the RO level.

During this exercise, it pointed out, all ROs successfully completed tabulation and compilation of the results.

Overall, the transmission of results by the presiding officers was also satisfactory, the ECP said adding that at some places they faced connectivity issues, which were being addressed on a priority basis. It added that if a presiding officer faced any difficulty in transmitting results to the RO through their mobile phone, they will personally deliver the result to the RO’s office.

The planned experiment worries many as the controversy over Result Transmission System collapse in 2018 still haunts the ECP.

In a related development the ECP spokesman said that the commission has made arrangements for providing information about polling stations to the voters through 8300 SMS service.

The service will be available from January 29 and PTA has also been informed about it, said the spokesperson.

Voters can check details about their vote, polling stations and national and provincial assembly constituences by sending their national identity card number on 8300, the ECP spokesperson said, adding that a fee of Rs2 per SMS will be charged for the service.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2024

To find your constituency and location of your polling booth, SMS your NIC number (no spaces) to 8300. Once you know your constituency, visit the ECP website here for candidates.