ISLAMABAD – PML-N and the PPP have opposed online voting system foroverseas Pakistanis arguing that the proposed balloting mechanism belaunched in next elections after 2018.

According to National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), theonline voting system would benefit 7.9 million overseas Pakistanis in theupcoming general elections.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also expressed reluctance todecide hastily on the matter, highlighting the need to test the software byconducting mock elections to weed out security concerns.

Reports say that the experts from renowned institutions have also expressedapprehension regarding the system’s security from attacks by hackers.

The ECP is expected to seek input from IT experts to find loopholes in thenew system.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, who is heading a three-judge SCbench, observed in a hearing yesterday that the court did not want topollute the election system that may create doubts in the process.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed from the PML-N asked the court not toexperiment with the system in the upcoming elections, which would bebitterly contested. He also invited the court’s attention towards concernsexpressed by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg regarding electronic manipulationin the 2018 general elections.

PPP’s Naveed Qamar said the online voting software should be made ready forthe next elections after 2018, which should be held after biometricverification.