No voting rights for 4m overseas Pakistanis in upcoming elections: ECP
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.
COMMENTS (14)
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Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee .... when 180 million people who vote in Pakistan do not make a difference then why worry about the four million outside .....
This is UNACCEPTABLE. We cannot lay low and be trampled on this way. "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 ECP had five years to plan and organize this. They can do it manually at the embassies. Its not like all 4 million are in one city! Many NRPs would happily volunteer to at the embassies to help manage the process. You cannot simply label something as impossible without even trying! At least do it in some of the cities where there are large numbers of Pakistanis!
Children won't be allowed to vote by nature. Oversees Pakistanis won't be allowed to vote by law. Women won't be allowed to vote by men. Minorities won't be allowed to vote by mullahs. Peasants won't be allowed to (freely) vote by feudal lords.
Welcome to UnDemocratic Republic of DemocracyTan
www.facebook.com/zaakbaarlaw
@Romali: You have no idea of the profile of overseas Pakistanis. The vast majority are unskilled or semiskilled labourers working the in the Middle East. Across the globe, majority of overseas Pakistanis across the globe are surveyed to be the least educated as compared to the rest of the population. If they are not in the country how are they "informed" votes!
@BillMaher: Actually it is rocket science, how are you going to get every political party representative to every Pakistani mission abroad? How are you going to make sure there is secure transportation of ballots? How are you going to make sure they are no duplicate voters lists for overseas Pakistanis? How will candidates campaign abroad in such short time? Who will be the recording officers? Many Pakistani missions abroad are literally falling apart, the staff poorly paid, where is the money going to come for this? Start paying taxes and then make uninformed emotive demands!
@Cautious: "You guys ever hear of a things called “mail” — not very high tech but it works and can be used to send ballots to/from overseas."
There are logistical issues with determining which constituency the vote counts. Most AMericans who vote from overseas have a primary residence in US which determines their constituency. That is ot the case with Indians and I suspect Pakistanis who have often migrated for good.
Ohh How ironic.. Did they fail to mention "No voting rights for 4-6 million Ahmadi Muslims living in Pakistan??"
Not acceptable. These are most likely the very same people who contribute to the Forex, help the economy and probably have something to say the ballot, without the fear of Mullahs.
It is not rocket science to provide ballots trough embassies/missions abroad.
Lazy or hidden agenda? ..pc
short time ? what they were doing in past years ? What a shame.
This was expected. Obviously PPP government doesn't want to give this right to 4 million Pakistanis, educated or informed voters, who would mostly vote to PTI. Another setback for PTI.
You guys ever hear of a things called "mail" -- not very high tech but it works and can be used to send ballots to/from overseas.
Unleash the conspiracy theories
So they cant vote now and a good majority cannot hold an office, why even let them back in the country.
There goes the Tsunami !!!!