ECP asked to adopt I-voting system for expat Pakitanis in bypolls
Shares
LAHORE: The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to use I-voting system as a pilot project to enable overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes in the upcoming by-polls.
A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, passed the orders while hearing petitions, filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan and others seeking right of vote for the overseas
Pakistanis.
At the outset of hearing, ECP Secretary Babar Yaqoob and National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Chairman Usman Mobin appeared before the court.
Yaqoob informed the bench that in accordance with Election Act, rules had been framed for the purpose of I-voting (Internet-voting), a system that allows voters to cast ballots from any computer connected to the internet anywhere in the world.
He further submitted that the commission intended to hold mock polling for the purpose.
At this, the chief justice directed for using I-voting system as a pilot project in the upcoming by-polls to enable
overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes.
The CJP directed the ECP to cooperate with NADRA and ensure proper arrangements in order to make the pilot project
a success.
He observed that results obtained from I-voting would be included in the final results of the by-polls.
However, the I-voting results will also be stored separately and will be taken out from the final count in case a conflict arises, he added.
The CJP remarked that the right to vote of overseas Pakistanis had been accepted, adding that it was now up to the
ECP to implement and fulfil its duty of holding the elections.
He further remarked that the pilot project should be completed according to the ECP regulations and operational plan.
"We are grateful to the ECP and Nadra for building the pilot project," he added.
However, he added that experimental voting did not mean that the results would be overlooked. All the results should be presented before the Parliament, CJP Nisar ordered. APP
