There are about 4.5 million eligible Pakistani voters currently living in different countries.
ISLAMABAD: Despite the President signing an ordinance which paves the way for overseas Pakistanis to vote, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday ruled out any possibility for overseas Pakistanis to vote in this weekend's landmark general elections.
"It was the desire of all stakeholders that overseas Pakistanis should be given right to franchise in the ensuing elections 2013but limited time has become hurdle in this way," ECP secretary Ishtiak Ahmed Khan told reporters.
Khan said that at this point it would be very difficult for the ECP to make arrangements for around 4.5 million Pakistanis living in various parts of the world to give them voting facility in just two days.
To a question, he said seven countries had granted Pakistan permission to hold voting for its citizens. The ECP had listed at least 10 countries which had sizeable Pakistani population where it would be considered to set up polling stations.
COMMENTS (12)
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Zardari intentionally signed too late and ECP never agreed to take this step and ECP is already corrupt. What we can expect from them, rather excuses and fulfilling their master's desires.
Disappointing - as bad as the the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and its protector Offices and overseas HCs !
I will get off my back side, catch a flight and vote for Pakistan...
If IK can spend 17 years, fracture his skull and spine, and still keep fighting for Pakistan...
I can do that..yes I will do that and vote for a new Pakistan
Every year, all of these political leaders come to the US and UK to collect money for their parties and pet causes. However, when it comes to facilitating voting for overseas Pakistanis, they cannot get their act together.
@Pathan: I think this is case of contempt of overseas Pakistanis' rights which is inferior than everything else in Pakistan. These elections are not fair.
Game well played by Mr.Zardari! Signing this law 2 days prior to the elections doesnt give the ECP enough time to make the required arrangements. Mr.Z was well aware of the fact that PTI has some staunch overseas supporters and if they had a say in the elections, PTI wouldve won by a HUGE margin! and ofcourse Mr.Zardari didnt want that, did He?
I thought the supreme ordered that overseas Pakistanis will vote. Does this mean that ECP is in contempt.
Genius by Zardari. He will now claim credit for empowering overseas Pakistanis while keeping them away at the same time.
I want to ask Supreme Court that what they did for the rights of overseas Pakistanis. We send remittances to Pakistan which is extremely critical for economy.
Why SC kept hearing the Letter and Memo related cases why it did not do anything for our rights. Sorry to say but SC played role of a political party. Their involvement in unnecessary sou moto actions side tracked them from KEY issues.
Why we gave so much support for SC when they can not provide/protect our rights? Do you have any answer to this Mr. Iftikhar Chaudhery?
Well, why don't they postpone the elections and ensure that everyone who can vote is given the opportunity to do so. Why do the elections HAVE to be held on May 11?
Blatant voter suppression by the entrenched status quo.