Pakistan

PM Imran reiterates commitment to give voting rights to overseas Pakistanis

PM reiterates his commitment to ensure transparency in the use of electronic voting machines

Our Correspondent June 17, 2021

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that overseas Pakistanis are an asset for Pakistan would 'definitely' be involved in the electoral process.

During a meeting chaired by the premier, he was briefed on the use of electronic voting machines in the electoral process.

PM Imran reiterated his commitment to ensuring transparency in the use of EVMs and to meet all constitutional requirements.

“The use of the electronic voting machine is the only option to prevent fraud and ensure transparency in the electoral process. Electoral reforms, electronic voting and the right to vote for overseas Pakistanis should be completed soon,” the PM added.

انتخابی عمل میں دھاندلی روکنے اور شفافیت کو یقینی بنانے کے لئے الیکٹرانک ووٹنگ مشین کا استعمال واحد آپشن ہے: @ImranKhanPTI
اوورسیز پاکستانیز ملک کا اثاثہ ہیں ان کو انتخابی عمل میں لازماً شریک بنائیں گے: وزیرِ اعظم#APPNews @PTIofficial #ImranKhan #PMImranKhan pic.twitter.com/PvKsFVUgeJ
— APP 🇵🇰 (@appcsocialmedia) June 17, 2021

On June 16, it was reported that The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) expressed reservations over the Elections Act (Amendment) Bill 2020, saying that some of the amendments in it are unconstitutional as its suggestions on them were not taken up by the relevant standing committee.

The ECP met under the chairmanship of Sikandar Sultan Raja to mull over the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2020.

The ECP said that the Ministry of IT audit stated that the National Database and Registration Authority’s (NADRA) i-voting system should not be used in the next general elections.

On June 10, it was reported that the Ministry of Science and Technology has started the development of a prototype Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), saying the exercise will be completed in a month’s time, according to the standards of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Addressing the media after attending a ceremony to mark the World Accreditation Day, Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz observed that till today elections in the country had been marred by some sort of controversy.

He had said the government decided to introduce technology in order to address this issue.