ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has promulgated the “Elections Second Amendment Ordinance, 2021” enabling overseas Pakistanis to exercise their right to vote and paving the way to hold the next general election through Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).
According to details, the President on Saturday issued the ordinance under Article 89 of the Constitution and it shall come into force at once.
The Ordinance states that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) shall with the technical assistance of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) or any other authority and agency shall enable overseas Pakistanis to exercise their right to vote during general elections in the country of residence.
The commission shall procure electronic voting machines for the casting of votes in general elections, it further said.
President Dr. Arif Alvi issues Elections (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 under Article 89 of the Constitution. pic.twitter.com/wqGfnwl4B0
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) May 8, 2021
On May 04, the federal cabinet had approved two ordinances regarding the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voting rights for overseas Pakistanis.
Sharing details regarding decisions taken during the cabinet meeting headed by PM Imran Khan in a presser, Fawad Chaudhry said that through an ordinance the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has been authorized to use EVM.
The information minister while lamenting that certain people do not know the powers rested with the Parliament said, “Another ordinance has given the ECP authority regarding voting rights for the overseas Pakistanis.”
