NA panel seeks briefing on voting machine

PCSIR chief says EVMs cannot be produced in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:

The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Science and Technology on Wednesday sought a detailed briefing from the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) on electronic voting machines (EVMs).

The committee met here with its Chairman Khawaja Shiraz in the chiar. During the meeting Khawaja Shiraz remarked that every election in the country became controversial, therefore, the committee wanted to know about progress to address this issue.

During the meeting PCSIR Chairman Dr Hussain Abidi gave updates on various projects and initiatives. The chair inquired about the plans for the EVMs. Abidi clarified that it was a project of the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), and not of PCSIR.

"Can you make an electronic voting machine," the chair asked the PCSIR chairman. He replied in the negative, and informed the committee that currently the council was only working on indelible ink used in the election process. The chair sought a detailed briefing on the matter in its next meeting.

Science and Technology Secretary Sajid Baloch informed the committee about the import of four 3D printers, of which three had been delivered to Peshawar, with one still awaiting clearance at the port. These printers are expected to play a significant role in various research applications.