ISLAMABAD: The schedule for carrying out verification of voters in Karachi has been delayed and now the exercise is expected to be completed two weeks ahead of the expiry of the assemblies’ term on March 16.

Informed sources said the move followed a significant change made by the Election Commission of Pakistan in the format of the form to be prepared by the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) for the verifying officers.

The decision had been taken to make the exercise credible, leaving no room for criticism, an official source said, adding columns were being added to the form to get thumb impression of not only the voters but also of the verifying officers and their supervisors.

They said the door-to-door verification, which was to start from Jan 5, would now commence on Jan 10.