Overseas Pakistanis voting: New developments made by ECP
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ISLAMABAD – In a new development in the case of voting for the overseas Pakistanis the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued fresh instructions to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
ECP has asked NADRA to register overseas Pakistanis as voters for upcoming by-elections set to be held in October.
Babar Yaqoob, secretary of ECP, issued the directives while chairing a meeting of NADRA and ECP officials in order to enable the overseas citizens to use their right to vote through the internet.
The NADRA has been asked to complete the registration process by September 15, while a demonstration pertaining to i-voting will also be proved by the officials to train the overseas Pakistanis.
In the by-polls, only those Pakistanis who have machine-readable passport and a National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (Nicop) will be eligible for using their right to vote.
The electoral body said that the Foreign Office and NADRA will run awareness campaigns with the help of embassies to motivate the overseas citizens to take part in elections.
On Aug 17, the Supreme Court allowed on Friday overseas Pakistanis for the first time to use their right to vote in coming by-elections, fulfilling the key demand of the expats.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar issued the ruling while hearing a set of petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and some overseas Pakistanis.
The petitioners had pleaded that the denial of the right to participate in the democratic process by the overseas Pakistanis would mean refusal by the government to carry out its constitutional obligation.
The chief justice has ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to make arrangements with the association of the NADRA to facilitate the overseas citizens to cast their vote through the internet.
“Many congratulations to overseas Pakistanis today,” said CJP Nisar, saying that it would be the first time expat citizens will be casting their votes in local election.
By-elections on 11 general seats of the National Assembly, out of which nine have been vacated by those who won more than 1 seats, will be held within the next two months.
