
KARACHI:
Pakistan might be the only constitutional state that considers voting through the internet safe and secure in a general election for a parliament, which has the powers to legislate laws, amend the constitution with a two-thirds majority, decide the fate and destiny of over 220 million citizens. A new record was made when over 33 bills were passed in under five hours, which were required to be approved after a clause by clause reading, debate and voting.
The US gives its overseas citizens the right to vote because the right to vote is interlinked with the responsibility of every citizen to file their income tax returns with Inland Revenue Department. All American citizens who are registered on the voters’ list, must inform their embassy of their present address, etc, and are allowed to cast their vote through secure registered postal ballots, issued to them by the competent authority. American troops and those employed overseas cast their votes in a similar manner. This postal balloting facility is also available to all citizens living within the US because the constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens.
If the federal government in consultation with the Election Commission Pakistan after going through the process of debate, scrutiny, etc in parliament wants to give its overseas citizens the right to vote, it must ensure secrecy and security of the ballot beyond any reasonable doubt. It is an internationally established fact that the internet is neither secure nor safe from hacking, especially when the internet is regulated and controlled by a foreign country, where the overseas Pakistani is residing. Mere passing of a bill by a brute majority, enabling balloting through the internet is in violation of the constitution both in letter and spirit and can compromise state sovereignty.
Ali Malik
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2021.
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