MCQ Detailed View

Under Section 27 of the Election Act 2017, the process of voter registration in Pakistan is directly linked to the address provided on a citizen’s National Identity Card (NIC). The law states that a person can only be registered as a voter using either the permanent address or the temporary address mentioned on their NIC, as issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

This provision was included to ensure accuracy in the electoral rolls and to prevent duplicate or fraudulent voter registrations. By tying voter registration strictly to NIC addresses, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) maintains a transparent and verifiable system for determining the electoral constituency of each registered voter.

Key points about Section 27:

• Permanent Address: This is usually the voter’s hometown or ancestral address, where they may have family property or long-standing residence.


• Temporary Address: This may be where the voter is currently residing for work, study, or other reasons, and is also acceptable for voter registration.


• The address must exactly match the details recorded in NADRA’s database to be valid for registration.

The purpose of this rule is to keep electoral rolls updated and synchronized with the official citizen database. It also helps in organizing elections efficiently by ensuring that voters are assigned to the correct constituencies based on their documented place of residence.

In conclusion, according to Section 27 of the Election Act 2017, voters can only be registered on the permanent or temporary address as stated on their NIC. This safeguards the integrity of Pakistan’s electoral system and ensures that elections are conducted fairly and transparently.