Shehbaz Sharif rejects suggestion to use electronic voting machines
LAHORE (92 News) - Opposition Leader in National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif has rejected the suggestion of using electronic voting machines on Sunday.
In his statement, the PML-N president said that the whole world including the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has already turned down the application of the electronic voting system.
"The electronic voting system has been declared a failure by the entire world," he said, adding that electoral reforms are undertaken with the consultations of all key stakeholders, the public's opinion and by developing a consensus.
"Such kind of important national decisions cannot be implemented on the orders or will of a specific person," Shehbaz Sharif added. "Worry about the public reeling from an economy in shambles, inflation and unemployment instead of electronic voting," he mentioned.
He said a country's integrity increased by the implementation of justice, transparency and rule of law rather than electronic voting machines. Criticising the government, he claimed that allegations of demanding the NRO were raised when the opposition was forwarding positive suggestions for reforms.
Earlier, PM Imran Khan has said that all parties are crying foul and claiming rigging despite a low turnout in the NA-249 by-election.
In a series of tweets on Saturday, he said that same happened in Daska recently and in the Senate elections.
"In fact, apart from 1970 election, in every election claims of rigging have raised doubts over credibility of election results.
"In 2013, there were 133 NA constituencies' disputes before the election tribunals. We asked for examination of just four constituencies' votes and in all four rigging was established. But it took us a year and a 126-day 'dharna' to get a Judicial Commission which found over 40 faults in conduct of elections.
"Unfortunately, no substantive reforms were put in place. Technology and use of Electronic Voting Machines are the only answer to reclaim credibility of elections. I invite the opposition to sit with us and select from EVM models we have available to restore our elections credibility.
"Trump's team did everything to dispute 2020 presidential election result; but because technology used in electoral process not one irregularity was found. For a year, now we have been asking the opposition to cooperate with us and help reform our present electoral system.
"Our government is determined and we will put in place reforms in our electoral system through the use of technology to bring transparency and credibility to our elections and strengthen our democracy."
