ISLAMABAD – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday expressedits readiness to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the upcominglocal government elections in Punjab.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Chief ElectionCommissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja to discuss the upcoming localgovernment elections in Punjab.
Punjab’s local government secretary gave a briefing on important aspects ofthe Punjab Local government Ordinance, 2021. The provincial chief secretaryassured the CEC of all possible cooperation.
The special secretary of the Election Commission proposed some amendmentsin the ordinance. The provincial government agreed on those amendments.
The ECP said that if the machines are prepared by the federal or theprovincial government, then it has no objections to their usage in theupcoming local bodies polls. The commission also noted that about 250,000EVMs would be required for the elections.
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The ECP also said that if it has to purchase the said machines, then itwould not be possible in 120 days, whereas as per the Constitution ofPakistan, it is liable to hold elections within this period.
The commission also suggested experimenting with EVMs in some village andneighbourhood councils and asked the provincial government to consider itssuggestions and to inform it of their decision.
