PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, restrained from issuing any clear directive to the ECP or to the interim federal government in its short order.
Attorney General for Pakistan Irfan Qadir informed the bench that he held a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim and all ECP members. He stated that the ECP unanimously agreed to accomplish the desired task and requested the federal government to draft the required legislation for overseas voting which can be made applicable after the upcoming general elections.
Other departments including NADRA, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance all ensured the SC bench that they were poised to accommodate the expatriates, if they are directed to do so by the federal government and the ECP.
The ECP earlier stated they would not be able to facilitate overseas voting for the 2013 elections citing technical issues, legal bottle-necks, dearth of finances and shortage of time.
The federal government though maintained that the SC could not tread upon the jurisdiction of the independently mandated ECP, and that any legislation that may be required could only be drafted by the legislature and not the apex court.
COMMENTS (12)
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All incompresible.ECP to come out of 50s .Even manuaaly we can poll in embassies and counselates.Americans voted in ISLMBD embassy.Why cant our nationals in US and else.No legislation required.If so why not bring ordinance.SHEER DEPRIVING AND DEFRANCHISING OUR NATIONALS
Having experienced the chaos in renewing my passport in London and witnessed the lack of space and consular staff at our embassies in London, Birmingham and Paris, I foresee long delays for voters even if the voting system is implemented.
Majority of overseas Pakistanis support #PTI it's unfair if EC and Govt of Pakistan decide not to use E-Voting! It's like minimizing turnout!
Govt. of Pakistan still lives in 50s. Backward system. typical clerk mentality.
Some things never change....this could have made the difference....
So we will be denied our right to vote. We the 5m Pakistanis send $12b in remittances but sad that with only 10 working days left in elections and we are talking about legislation.
Instead of dragging on this matter, it should be made an example.
Well done SC. About time that suffrage was extended to all Pakistanis.
very sad. What an incompetent Election Commission.
Where there is a will there is a way.