Tag: election reforms

  • Electronic voting the only way to ensure transparency: PM Khan

    Electronic voting the only way to ensure transparency: PM Khan

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that electronic voting is the only way to ensure transparency and prevent rigging in the elections, a statement from the PM Office said Thursday.

    PM Khan made these comments during a meeting in Islamabad, where he was briefed on the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the electoral process.

    PM Khan further said that overseas Pakistanis are an asset for Pakistan and they would definitely be involved in the electoral process.

    “Overseas Pakistanis are an asset of the country, they must be involved in the election process. Electoral reforms, electronic voting, and voting process for overseas Pakistanis should be completed soon,” he instructed the concerned officials.

    On June 10, the National Assembly had passed the Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, which pertains to fair, free and transparent election through the utilisation of technology and modern gadgets.

    However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has expressed severe concerns over some clauses in the electoral reforms bill passed by the National Assembly, including voting rights for overseas Pakistanis as well as use of EVMs, and has assessed that many proposed amendments may violate constitutional requirements, reports Dawn.

    ECP says the right of vote to overseas Pakistanis cannot be given till the required legislation by parliament is made regarding various practical aspects, including whether they should have extra seats in the Assembly, what kind of procedure should be adopted for them to vote, etc.

    ECP says the use of EVMs cannot be adopted till it is determined whether these machines are capable of conducting free and fair elections; whether they can operate in conditions of hot weather, load-shedding, etc.; how the accuracy, secrecy, and transparency of votes can be ensured; and whether without proper testing, the ECP can ensure free and fair elections with these machines.

  • Electoral reforms proposed for fair and transparent elections: Govt

    Electoral reforms proposed for fair and transparent elections: Govt

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Adviser to Prime Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan, in a press conference, shared details of the government’s plans for electoral reforms for free and transparent elections within the country.

    Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs has proposed 49 amendments to the Election Amendment Bill 2020. Awan said that the reforms shall be put forth before all stakeholders, including civil society, media and Bar councils.

    Fawad Chaudhry stressed that the government wants to get the reforms passed from parliament through consensus. Chaudhry said that if the opposition parties are not ready to support the proposal for the electoral reforms, it will delay both political and democratic development within the country.

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1389146375192039426

    Yesterday, Shehbaz Sharif had spurned down the proposal of using an electronic voting system (EVS). He was responding to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s tweets on electoral reforms.

    PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif rejected PM’s proposal to use electronic voting machine. In a statement posted on Twitter, Shehbaz said, “Electronic voting system is rejected by the whole world. Pakistan Election Commission (ECP) has declared it unworkable. Such important national tasks cannot be performed at the request or order of an individual.”

    He further added that electoral reforms are a rather sensitive issue. “Electoral reforms can only take place after consultation of all parties, in the light of public opinion and through consensus.”

    “Instead of electronic voting, the government should worry about a ruined economy, skyrocketing inflation, unemployment and the ever increasing mortality rates,” Shehbaz Sharif added.

  • Pakistan makes e-voting machine to curb election rigging

    Pakistan makes e-voting machine to curb election rigging

    National Institute of Electronics (NIE) has claimed that their new e-voting machines will halt election rigging and ensure transparency during the general elections.

    Earlier this month, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), NIE, National University of Science and Technology (NUST), and COMSATS University have collaborated to develop indigenous e-voting machine.

    While explaining the voting process through the indigenously manufactured e-voting machine, Technical Research Director of NIE, Kamran Bhatti, said that symbols of all contesting political parties will be visible on the machine for the e-voting machine.

    Voters will only need to press the button of the candidate they want to vote for. A green light on the ballot box of the e-voting machine will notify them that they have successfully cast the vote.

    The e-voting machine will also compile the final tally after the polling ends. The record of the e-voting could be used in courts and also as a reference if the results are challenged.

    The Director of NIE added that voters will be verified through thumb impressions that will be provided by NADRA on the day of general elections.

    He claimed that the NIE e-voting machine cannot be hacked that will ensure the safety of the data of the voters.

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has been making efforts to introduce an e-voting system in the general elections to ensure impartiality and transparency.

    In November 2020, PM Imran had announced electoral reforms for free and fair elections in the country.

    The reforms included open balloting through a show of hands during Senate elections, an e-voting system for general elections and allowing overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes.