ISLAMABAD: Khizar Aziz, the IT Director of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), has addressed concerns regarding the security of the Election Management System (EMS) for the upcoming general elections 2024, reassuring the public that measures are in place to prevent hacking.
In an interview with a private news channel, Aziz emphasized that the EMS utilizes private networks exclusively for transmitting election results, thereby eliminating the risk of hacking. He detailed the robust infrastructure of the EMS, which includes securely housed software in the offices of 859 Returning Officers (RO), equipped with dedicated data entry operators, laptops, and IT equipment.
EMS Use for Results in General Elections
Aziz further explained that Presiding Officers (PO) are equipped with EMS installed on their mobile phones, enabling them to capture and transmit images of Form 45 to the RO. In cases of network issues, Form 45 will automatically deliver to the RO once connectivity is restored, ensuring integrity.
Highlighting the process of Section 95, Aziz outlined the requirement for Presiding Officers to display Form 45 on their mobile devices at the RO’s office, where the form will self-lock to prevent tampering.
Regarding the creation of Form 47, Aziz noted that ROs will verify the locked status of Form 45 on the Presiding Officer’s mobile device. Additionally, computers in RO offices will operate in online and offline modes, seamlessly transitioning between the two in the event of network disconnection.
Aziz also addressed connectivity concerns, mentioning a third option apart from online and offline modes, ensuring uninterrupted data transmission.
Zafar Iqbal Hussain, the Special Secretary of the Election Commission, emphasized the transparency of the electoral process, highlighting the importance of polling agents signing Form 45.
