Each expat vote cost Rs15,000

ISLAMABAD: It was an historic event when for the first time overseas Pakistanis cast their votes in the by-polls on Sunday.

More than 83 per cent registered voters used the facility to cast their votes through the internet. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) spent Rs95 million to arrange voting on the internet.

It was a deviation from the traditional voting in Pakistan. The registered Pakistani voters took deep interest in I-voting. The turnout of I-voting remained at 83.5 per cent.



According to sources, a total of 6,233 votes were cast through the internet voting system – including 5,117 votes for the National Assembly and 1,116 votes for provincial assemblies.

The sources said each internet vote cost Rs15,241 to the national exchequer. The ECP received three complaints from the overseas Pakistanis. The results of the internet voting will be sent to returning officers after the approval by the ECP.