The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has requested the Supreme Court to dismiss petitions challenging the removal of voting rights for overseas Pakistanis.
The election supervisor submitted a written response with the top court in this regard. In its reply, the polls supervisory body stated that the petitions challenge recent amendments to the Elections Act. The commission emphasized that it had already conducted a pilot project on internet voting (i-voting) during the October 2018 by-elections, the results of which were submitted to parliament for review.
The ECP further stated that in compliance with the Supreme Court's directive, a third-party audit of the pilot project was carried out. The audit report concluded that the i-voting system was neither secure nor capable of ensuring voter privacy.
It is the prerogative of parliament to determine the method by which overseas Pakistanis can cast their votes, the ECP maintained, adding that the legislature could, if it so decides, enact laws allowing overseas voting through embassies or other means.
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