The polling stations in NA-256 which were scrutinised by Nadra did not use magnetic ink and hence Nadra was unable to verify the thumb impressions. However, there are concerns that the unverified thumb impressions were the outcome of a deliberate attempt at rigging the polls. A book 'Pakistan General Elections 2013' recently launched by former Secretary ECP Hasan Muhammad, maintains: "In general elections 2013, the conventional masterminds of rigging in some areas were far more active because inter alia they allegedly got manufactured stamps of bogus 'thumb impressions' of the voters to mark the voters' lists at the polling stations and counterfoil of ballot papers". A senior official of Election Commission (ECP) on condition of anonymity told Business Recorder that for the first time ECP delegated powers to the election tribunal to work independently and proceed with a thorough investigation into the allegations of bogus votes cast during the polls.
Replying to a question, he said it was the government's decision to charge a fee for thumb verification by Nadra with the objective of discouraging bogus complaints against the winning candidates. "It's up to the government to abolish the fee," he added.
Iqbal Muhammad Ali of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had won NA 256, defeating Muhammad Zubair Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who later challenged the results in 67 polling stations before the election tribunal. Subsequently, the tribunal headed by Zafar Ahmed Khan Sherwani ordered NADRA on August 20 to verify the thumb impressions of the voters. Complying with the tribunal's directives, Nadra examined and compared the election material, including the statement of count and used counterfoils and photo electoral rolls at the polling stations to determine authenticity of the votes cast.