ISLAMABAD: Different countries have adopted the electronic voting system, with Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, India, Italy and Kazakhstan being some of the examples.
It is time that Pakistan also took serious steps towards the adoption of this system.The electronic voting machine has now replaced the traditional mechanism of voting in several countries of the world because it has many advantages as it provides security and automatic counting. It can also make the voting process free and fair.
Electoral reforms with adaptation of electronic voting system may prevent future crisis regarding rigging in elections. Electoral reform would be much effective this way. If an electronic voting system is introduced, it will be easier for all political parties to accept election results, as the chances of rigging and other mistakes occurring will be minimised.
After the general elections of 2013, some evidence emerged and was reported on TV channels such as videos and pictures that were circulated specially over social media.
As for the present crisis on Constitution Avenue in Islamabad, the more it prolongs the more it gets complicated. The authorities concerned need to negotiate to resolve the issue and bring changes into the system for the betterment of the people.
Naushaba Abid
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2014.
