NADRA’s bonus for employees overseeing EMS raises eyebrows

ISLAMABAD: The Election Management System (EMS), developed by NADRA, failed to deliver the expected results for the general election held on February 8, 2024, a fact reluctantly acknowledged by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Despite the systems shortcomings and failure, NADRA awarded a bonus to the employees who managed and oversaw the EMS, which was commissioned by the ECP for Rs280 million.

NADRA released a one-month bonus to its employees for what it deemed the “successful operation” of the EMS.

NADRA official asserted that “the EMS effectively consolidated the election results”, a claim they suggested could be verified by the ECP based on the EMS’s performance.

When asked about the total expenditure incurred on the EMS project, a NADRA spokesperson stated that the disclosure of the exact amount is protected under Section 16(g) of the RTI Act 2017, and asked to approach the ECP for further queries in the regard.

The spokesperson emphasized that NADRA had met all its contractual obligations, with employees deployed nationwide for the project.

“Following the NESR and with the approval of the NADRA Authority Board, a bonus equivalent to one month’s basic salary was granted to all personnel involved in the EMS initiative,” the spokesperson said.

Prior to the election, at least two district returning officers (DROs) raised concerns about the EMS’s integrity, raising questions about the system’s failure or external manipulation.

In the aftermath of the election, significant delays in result tabulation and entry into the EMS sparked widespread hues and cries from various political parties and election observers.

The EMS hailed as a technological marvel by the ECP, failed to deliver timely results, missing the legally mandated announcement deadline by nearly 40 hours.

The ECP attributed delays to various logistical challenges, including communication disruptions and adverse weather conditions.

Eyewitness accounts painted a chaotic scene on election night, with data entry operators reportedly sluggish in inputting results, raising suspicions of deliberate obstruction. Concerns were also raised regarding transparency, as election observers were denied access to EMS operations in several instances.

Despite claims of EMS’s effectiveness by the ECP, independent assessments painted a less rosy picture.

Reports from observers such as the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) and the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) highlighted deficiencies in the electoral process, casting doubt on the EMS’s reliability.

Meanwhile, the ECP dismissed allegations of EMS malfunction, asserting the system’s robustness and efficiency following rigorous testing.

As the dust settles on Pakistan’s contentious election, lingering doubts persist regarding the EMS’s efficacy, transparency, and cost-effectiveness.

Meanwhile, in response to inquiries about disciplinary actions taken against NADRA employees for the unauthorized disclosure of citizens’ personal information over the past three years, the spokesperson reported that NADRA terminated 22 employees, levied major penalties on six, and imposed minor penalties on 121 employees.

Regarding the number of employees added to the stop list since the current chairman took office, the spokesperson clarified that no NADRA employee has been placed on the stop list.

For further details on this matter, the spokesperson suggested contacting the Ministry of Interior, as it falls under their jurisdiction.

The Hum Investigation Team has acquired comprehensive information concerning the ongoing investigation within NADRA.

According to HIT findings, 743 employees have been cleared due to insufficient evidence. However, it has been disclosed that there was a data breach involving the family of PPP National Assembly member Ali Gohar at a NADRA office, and investigations into this specific incident of data leakage are still in progress.