ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced the introduction of an electronic voting system to ensure utmost transparency in the election process. Talking to media in Islamabad, the premier said a mechanism will also be brought in for overseas Pakistanis so that they, too, can participate in the polling to elect their representatives.
NADRA’s data will be utilized for the electronic voting in the country for which the Election Commission of Pakistan is being consulted. He said a bill for these reforms will soon be introduced in the Parliament.
Imran Khan said elections in Azad Kashmir and Senate are approaching soon, while the general election will be held in 2023. He said the prime objective to introduce these reforms is to ensure fair and transparent elections in Pakistan and enhance people’s trust in the polling process.
The Prime Minister also announced to introduce a Constitutional Amendment for Senate elections; through a show of hands instead of secret balloting to end the sale and purchase of votes. He said the constitutional amendment is not possible without a two-thirds majority; in the parliament and for this purpose government needs other parties’ support; as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf does not has the required number of votes to amend the constitution.
Gilgit-Baltistan
Talking about PTI’s victory in the recent election in Gilgit-Baltistan; Imran Khan reiterated his resolve to give provisional provincial status to GB to fulfill the long-desired demand of the people. He said we will give a detailed plan to fulfill our commitment of granting provisional provincial status to GB.
The Prime Minister also thanked the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for reposing trust in PTI. He also appreciated the PTI team for its massive campaigning during the GB election. Khan said he himself ran a campaign for transparency in the electoral system in Pakistan.
Every time in the past political parties objected to the transparency of the elections. But the electronic voting system as it was in many other countries would be brought here, he further said. The PM also mentioned allegations of rigging in the 2013 and 2018 elections as a context to make this announcement.