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In fact, in the era of technology automation was being introduced across the world and Pakistan can’t escape it. The electronic voting machines certainly ensure the accuracy and transparency of the vote count as well as speedy polling unlike paper-based balloting which takes a lot of time, troubles the voters.
The Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) being termed as the ideal solution to poll rigging, disputes over results and other election-related controversies, are going to cost several billion. Although despite this massive expense, they are unlikely to be the solution to ending electoral controversies and disputes.
Recent controversial video
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the ruling Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) have locked horns once again over the issue of using electronic voting machines in the upcoming general elections.
On Saturday, the ECP shared on its official Twitter account a vlog of a journalist criticizing e-voting machines only to delete it a couple of hours later. In the vlog, the journalist can be heard voicing his concerns over the use of expensive e-voting machines, and speaking out against their use in the general polls, claiming that they were a scam to loot national money.
Govt’s response
Soon after the video was posted, the ruling party ministers and leaders lashed out at the Election Commission of Pakistan, accusing it of supporting the opposition parties that oppose the government’s move to introduce EVMs in the upcoming general elections.
Minister of State for Information Farrukh Habib, in a tweet, demanded an explanation from the chief election commissioner, saying that the matter has to go to parliament. He questioned how can you describe EVMs as fraud? ECP should keep in check what kind of material is being shared on its official Twitter handle and who is doing it, he added.
Allegations of manipulation
Sadly, we have been earshot allegations of manipulation in the electoral process since the polls that were held in 1970. Pakistan faced various hindrances to the process of strengthening democracy due to corrupt practices.
This includes, among others, a regular intrusion of non-democratic forces into the civilian domain, pitiable performance of the authorities, causing the removal from office of a democratic system and brittle party structures in the country.
Procurement of e-voting machines
Earlier this month, the government promulgated a presidential ordinance authorizing and binding the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to procure electronic voting machines (EVMs) and to enable the overseas Pakistanis to exercise their right to vote while staying in their country of residence in the next general elections.
President Arif Alvi promulgated the Elections (Second Amendment) Ordinance 2021 under Article 89 of the Constitution only two days after National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser had constituted a committee of the cabinet members to engage the opposition on the issue of electoral reforms.
Opposition’s stance
Most major opposition parties dismissed the proposed electoral reform. The opposition argued that anything that is controlled and operated by others and can be handily used to manipulate electoral results is unacceptable and rejected. They add that they would strongly oppose the introduction of EVMs in parliament.
Former Speaker and prominent Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the countries where EVMs have been tried and tested have either already reverted to paper ballots or are going back to the old system for different reasons.
E-voting system
E-voting is a flattering more stimulating chore over whole the world. Sadly, Pakistan is still holding polls in a centuries-old ballot box manner as a result, questions were raised overall elections held in the past in the country, which has not only harmed the poll process but also smashed the confidence of the nation. Now the country cannot afford any such faulty election system.
For strengthening the future of democracy and to avert the hijacking and theft of votes in the country, Pakistan needs to change the voting process by using the technology and already in use in countries such as the US, India and Brazil.
We must restore the faith of Pakistanis in the integrity of the electoral process or face the prospects of reverting to dictatorships. This is the time for the nation to demand a better voting system and for the political parties and ECP to step up to the challenge.
Finally, by avoiding controversies, the ECP should play a key role in advocating such a system to limit fraud and trust issues surrounding the elections.
