Why ECP is Refusing EVM Despite its Plan of 2023?
Previously, the commission had raised 37 objections in the electronic voting machine and submitted its report before the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
The election commission of Pakistan (ECP) has a clause to conduct pilot testing of the electronic voting machine (EVM) according to its 3rd Strategic Plan 2019-2023 but it is opposing the device.
Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that ECP chief is speaking the language of the opposition on government reforms.
Previously, the commission had raised 37 objections after reviewing EVM and submitted its report before the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs.
ECP disclosed its inability to place the devices on large-scale and training officers before the general elections in 2023.
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The minister said that ECP made unreasonable observations about EVM without thoroughly examining it, reflecting its lack of seriousness towards adopting technology for ensuring transparent elections.
حکومت کو اصلاحات لانا چاہ رہی چیف الیکشن کمیشن کسی مقصد کے تحت اس کی مخالفت کر رہے ہیں۔ الیکشن کمیشن نے جتنے بھی الیکشن کروائے ہیں تمام الیکشن متنازع رہے۔ جو بھی ہارا اس نے الزام لگایا۔ الیکشن کمیشن کو اب خود میٹریل لانا چاہیے کہ وہ کیسے انتخابات کروانا چاہتے ہیں۔@fawadchaudhry pic.twitter.com/4hAVdiTCmX
— Fawad Chaudhry (Updates) (@FawadPTIUpdates) September 19, 2021
According to ECP’s 3rd Strategic Plan 2019-2023, one of the clauses says, “Conduct more pilot tests of electoral technologies i.e. EVM, Biometric Verification Machine (BVM), and overseas voting mechanisms to develop feasibility studies for operational and legal consideration by Parliament and other relevant authorities”.
On the other hand, President Arif Alvi shared the data of elections through EVM in the Philippines that have increased voters’ confidence, reduced election petitions, and violence.
President expressed his hope that he would love to see such a change in Pakistan.
Very imp. data on history of EVM elections in Philippine. Increasing voter confidence, phenomenal reductions in election petitions, murders & violence. Would love to see such a change in Pakistan. In our case with paper ballots to support electronic count, our system is stronger. pic.twitter.com/QHHyDAWOTi
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) September 20, 2021
The analysts are of the view that ECP rejecting EVM is beyond comprehension as the electoral body had itself decided to conduct pilot testing of the device but it has failed to do so.
