No voting rights for 4m overseas Pakistanis in upcoming elections: ECP
Says matter of expatriate voting rights delayed due to lack of time, not dismissed.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided against providing voting facilities to overseas Pakistanis for the upcoming general elections, Express News reported on Wednesday.
Earlier, the ECP was considering giving voting rights to more than 4 million Pakistanis who are settled in different countries around the world.
The reason for this decision, according to ECP, was that making arrangements for providing voting facilities to so many people abroad would be an impossible task in such a short time as general elections were not far away.
The commission, however, said that these expatriates could come to Pakistan and vote instead.
The issue has not been dismissed but postponed as the upcoming elections have many matters that need to be attended to in a short period of time.
During the meeting, five new political parties were allowed registration today, with the Pakistan Muslim League – Likeminded being recognized as a separate political party.
Also, a bill was agreed upon today by the commission which states that results will be withheld and polling will be held again in any constituency where there are less than 10 percent votes of women.
Earlier, State Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Nadeem Ehsan said that voting rights to overseas Pakistanis would be granted soon.
Earlier, the ECP was considering giving voting rights to more than 4 million Pakistanis who are settled in different countries around the world.
The reason for this decision, according to ECP, was that making arrangements for providing voting facilities to so many people abroad would be an impossible task in such a short time as general elections were not far away.
The commission, however, said that these expatriates could come to Pakistan and vote instead.
The issue has not been dismissed but postponed as the upcoming elections have many matters that need to be attended to in a short period of time.
During the meeting, five new political parties were allowed registration today, with the Pakistan Muslim League – Likeminded being recognized as a separate political party.
Also, a bill was agreed upon today by the commission which states that results will be withheld and polling will be held again in any constituency where there are less than 10 percent votes of women.
Earlier, State Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Nadeem Ehsan said that voting rights to overseas Pakistanis would be granted soon.