ECP seeks additional funds for EVMs, I-voting pilot project

Funds to be used for more effective testing of EVM, I-voting mechanism, training of staff and piloting the project.

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday asked the government for additional funds to carry out the pilot project of electronic voting machines (EVM) and I-voting (voting for overseas Pakistanis).

The additional amount will be used for more effective testing of EVM and I-voting mechanism, training of staff and piloting the project.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja.

The electoral watchdog also expressed satisfaction over the progress made by its project management unit established for the purpose.

“Keeping the elections and voting process transparent is the fundamental responsibility of the electoral body,” the CEC said.

He emphasised the importance of adopting new methods but added it was also crucial to ensure the secrecy of the vote.  “Pilot testing of the EVMs and training related to its operation will be part of the election management system."

Earlier, the lower and upper house of the parliament had reversed the law that enabled the use of EVMs and called for enabling tandem voting for overseas Pakistanis by passing the Election Amendment Bill 2022.

However, on June 4, President Arif Alvi refused to greenlight the bill and returned the bill unsigned. He had termed it "regressive" in nature.

Later, during a joint sitting of the Parliament, the bill was steamrolled through the parliament on June 9.