ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has urged opposition parties to develop a consensus over introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) after witnessing a demonstration.
In a private TV channel programme, the president invited the opposition parties to Aiwan-e-Sadr or parliament, as convenient to them, soon after Eid-ul-Fitr to witness a demonstration of the EVM prototype.
The parties could raise their objections after the demonstration which could be addressed, he said while responding to question. However, the president made it clear that the final decision in this regard would be taken by the parliament.
The president said he wanted all the political parties on board with regard to introduction of use of latest technology in the election process.
To another question, the president clarified that the old system of balloting would not be done away in the new electronic voting system rather it would be kept intact.
A voter would press a button of his choice containing election symbols on the electronic machine, his or her vote would be electronically counted along with a print out of a ballot at the same time, which would be dropped in the sealed ballot box, he added.
The president maintained that under the new electronic system, votes could be electronically and manually counted. “In the new proposed electronic system, the old ballot system will remain intact,” he emphasised.
He said the printed ballots could be counted if any objections were raised by the contesting parties, adding that the electronic system would be backed up with paper ballots.
The president said the manufacturing of these machines would take time and considering the short timeline, the opposition parties must present their viewpoint.
He said India had been using the electronic voting system since 1985. The voters’ biometric verification was made a part of the 2017 Election Reforms Act.
He said the electronic system was adopted in Brazil, Congo, India and Philippines and in those countries having election controversies and the same could be done here as the country required such systems.
The president further explained that the EVMs would have no internet connection so it couldn’t be hacked. He added the paper balloting would not end rather it would be reformed, backed up with electronic and paper record.
The president said in the whole exercise, ministries of parliamentary affairs, IT and science and technology were involved. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) representatives had also attended the meeting with regard to electronic voting system.
