Govt reaches out to ECP on electoral reforms

AGP meets CEC, apprises him of progress on EVMs, voting right to expats

ISLAMABAD:

Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja on Thursday and discussed with him the government’s proposed electoral reforms, including the grant of voting right to the overseas Pakistanis and use of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

During the meeting at the Election Commission, the attorney general assured the CEC that the government would take the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as well as the political parties into confidence on the issue of electoral reforms.

He said that the amendments to the laws would be finalised after consulting the ECP and the political parties. “The federal government acknowledges and respects the independence and constitutional status of Election Commission of Pakistan,” he said.

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The CEC observed that the ECP would support and implement the legislation passed by parliament, which ensured the holding of free, fair and transparent elections. He added that ECP supported the use of the EVMs and voting right for the overseas Pakistanis.

In this regard, however, the CEC stressed, the modalities “are to be worked out so that no questions are raised and we also put such methodology to test in by-elections or LG [local government] elections, leaving no room for dispute at the time of general elections”.

The AGP reiterated that all stakeholders, particularly the ECP would be taken in confidence in the matters relating to the EVMs, voting right to the overseas Pakistanis and other amendments to the Election Act, 2017. “For that purpose, consultations with stakeholders would be expedited,” he added.