Do you know Pakistan’s election law protects citizens’ right to know polling-station results? It requires Presiding Officers, who manage polling and counting at polling stations, to paste a copy of Form-45 at a prominent place outside the polling station so anyone can see it and take a photo for their records. This practice enables public scrutiny of election results and can deter malpractices.

When polling ends or after all voters present inside have cast their ballots, the Presiding Officer gathers the ballot boxes and counts the ballot papers. The results of this count are recorded on Form-45.

Why is it called Form-45?

Officially titled “Result of the Count,” it is the 45th Form in the Election Rules, 2017. Under the previous legal framework i.e., Conduct of General Elections Rules, 1977, the comparable document was Statement of the Count or Form-XIV (Form-14).

Who prepares and signs Form-45?

Form-45 is officialized by the signatures of the Presiding Officer and the Senior-Most Assistant Presiding Officer at the polling station. They sign it with their names and official designations. Additionally, polling agents of the candidates, and accredited observers present at the polling station, are invited to sign and record their names and party or organizational affiliation.

What information does From-45 contain?

Form-45 contains:

  • Name and number of the constituency and the polling station to which it pertains.
  • Total number of votes assigned to the polling station, with a gender-disaggregated breakdown.
  • Candidate-wise tally of valid votes, with category-wise disaggregation: valid votes from ballot boxes, valid tendered ballots, and valid challenged ballots.
  • Total number of votes excluded from the count, with disaggregation by origin: ballot box, tendered ballot packet, or challenged ballot packet.
  • Total votes polled, with a gender-disaggregated breakdown.

How many copies are prepared and who may get one?

A separate Form-45 is prepared for each election. Its copies are provided to:

  • The Returning Officer (in charge of the election process in the constituency).
  • The District Election Commissioner (ECP’s representative in the district).
  • Each candidate or their election/polling agent present at the polling station.
  • Each accredited observer present at the polling station.

The Presiding Officer keeps one copy for the record and must also affix one prominently outside the polling station for public viewing.

What role does Form-45 play in preparing constituency results?

Form-45 is the primary record used to compile Form-47, Form-48, and Form-49 for the constituency. In election disputes, courts and tribunals examine Form-45 to determine whether and where irregularities occurred. Signed by the Presiding Officer and acknowledged by polling agents, Form-45—along with Form-46—serves as the primary record of events at each polling station.

What can you do?

Next time there’s an election in your constituency, you can:

  1. After casting your ballot, remind the Presiding Officer to paste Form-45 outside the polling station building.
  2. Note your polling station name and number. It is usually written on a chart outside and inside polling station building.
  3. Look for the Form-45 outside the polling station building.
  4. Take a clear photo of the pasted Form-45 for your record.
  5. Raise voice on social media if Form-45 isn’t pasted for public or doesn’t match the count on Form-48.

Form-45 of a constituency may also let the candidates compare the overall results with constituency Forms 47, 48 and 49.