The federal cabinet has approved the Electoral Amendment Bill, 2022, which would put election reforms proposed during the PTI government on hold until they can be submitted in the National Assembly. The PTI government changed election regulations to allow overseas Pakistanis to vote and mandated that elections be held using electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over a cabinet meeting that affirmed judgments made by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases on May 19 and May 25, 2022.
The cabinet described Pakistanis living overseas as a significant asset to the country and stressed the importance of including them in the electoral process.
The previous government, on the other hand, enacted legislation without consulting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The meeting also agreed to review the ECP’s report on electronic voting and providing voting rights to Pakistanis living abroad. Furthermore, EVMs and voting procedures for Pakistanis living abroad should be examined as a trial project first.
“Electronic voting machines and voting procedures for overseas Pakistanis must first be tested as a pilot project,” the cabinet ruled while giving approval for presenting the bill in the National Assembly.
A report on the pilot project’s findings will be presented to Parliament, following which it will be decided whether the voting procedure for overseas Pakistanis is feasible.
“Since the ECP has indicated technical difficulties to embark upon conducting elections as per provisions relating to I-voting and EVMs, it is proposed that Section 94 (voting by overseas Pakistanis) and 103 (electronic voting and biometric verification) of the Elections Act, 2017, may be amended or substituted,” the summary said.
The adjustments, according to the government, were made to restore amendments made to the original provisions of the 2017 act in preparation for debate in parliament based on the results of future pilot projects.
To read our blog on “NADRA dismisses a viral image stating that Overseas Pakistanis are able to vote,” click here.
