President Arif Alvi promulgates ordinance allowing overseas voting rights, EVM use

According to details, the ordinance was issued after changes were made to section 94 (1) and section 103 of the Election Act 2017.

Through the amendments, the Pakistani expats will have the right to vote in next general elections and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would also be bound to purchase electronic voting machines (EVMs) ahead of the general election.

On May 04, the federal cabinet approved two ordinances regarding the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voting rights for Pakistani expats.

The federal information minister, Fawad Chaudhry while explain the ordinance said,

“The ECP has been authorized to use EVM through an ordinance and another ordinance has given the ECP the authority related to voting rights for the overseas Pakistanis. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) do not want to give rights to overseas Pakistanis but PTI considers them an asset,” he added.

Fawad further stated that government has fulfilled its responsibility regarding legislation on the matter.