ECP places order for 150 voting machines

Commission plans to use in its pilot projects in by-elections later this year to check their utility.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday placed an order to purchase 150 electronic voting machines it planned to use in its pilot projects in by-elections later this year to check their utility before going for bulk purchase.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) signed an agreement with M/s Smartmatic International Holding for procuring these machines.

One of the proposals before the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms, tasked with formulating a comprehensive package to improve the election system, was using the electronic voting machines in the next general elections.

The panel submitted its first report to parliament in December last year.

Issues relating to the use of electronic machines, bestowing voting rights to Pakistanis living abroad were left pending for further discussion.

In the meantime, opposition parties, especially Imran Khan’s PTI, started putting pressure on the government and ECP for adopting tangible reforms before the next polls.

Shifting completely to an electronic voting system would need changes in relevant laws.  The election authorities believed that it would be better if the country gradually moved to using electronic voting machines.

The ECP, it is learnt, wants to test these machines in the by-polls and check results.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2017.