Govt, ECP at loggerheads over use of electronic voting machine

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Representatives of the government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) exchanged hot words over the use of electronic voting machine during the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs on Friday.

Senator Taj Haider presided over the meeting held to discuss proposed amendments to the Elections (Amendment) Act, 2021.

Announcing the voting on the Bill, Taj Haider said that they did not know why the government wants to prolong the issue. "To hold the Senate election through the open vote, he said that an amendment has to be made. The Senate election cannot be held through the open ballot," he maintained.

Senator Azam Swati said that the ECP was making fun of the parliament. "The ECP has received money. It should be removed from the constitution. The government should be given the right to hold the general elections. The ECP had been engaged in rigging in the elections of the past," he alleged.

However, the Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs rejected the amendment pertaining to the conduct of the Senate election through the open ballot, the use of electronic voting machine and I-voting for the overseas Pakistanis.

The ECP members boycotted the committee due to attitude of the ECP. Meanwhile, the chief election commissioner has called an emergency meeting on Monday.