Umar urges EC to drop eFaas requirement for independent candidates
The letter said that only about 10 per cent of the population currently uses eFaas, while the remaining 90 per cent have not used the system.
Former Home Minister Umar Naseer on Monday called on the Elections Commission to отменate the requirement for independent candidates to obtain 50 supporting signatures through the eFaas digital identity system in order to contest the upcoming local council elections.
Under current rules, independent candidates must secure the support of 50 voters, with each supporter required to log in and provide verification through the Elections Commission’s online portal using their own eFaas account.
In a letter sent to Elections Commission Chairman Mohamed Zahir, Naseer asked for the rule to be withdrawn, stating that the requirement to verify supporters through eFaas restricts the electoral rights of independent candidates.
The letter said that only about 10 per cent of the population currently uses eFaas, while the remaining 90 per cent have not used the system and are not familiar with the process. Imposing such a requirement, the letter said, would deny those citizens the ability to support candidates.
Naseer said that obstacles of this nature cannot be imposed without a clear legal basis and that election procedures should follow methods familiar to the public.
He also said the rule would make it difficult to recruit the officials required for the elections, as nominations must be submitted through the eFaas system.
“For these reasons, I request that this rule be repealed,” the letter said.
The letter also noted that the Elections Commission is preparing to contest the upcoming presidential election as an independent body.
Former President Abdulla Yameen on Sunday also expressed concern over the requirement for independent candidates to obtain support through eFaas. He said he was preparing to challenge the matter in court, stating that the procedure was not legally valid.
