ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Thursday directed the government to formulate a mechanism under which overseas Pakistanis can cast their votes at polling stations set up in Pakistan’s embassies in various countries, Dispatch News Desk (DND) reported.
During today’s proceedings in a case pertaining to the overseas Pakistanis’ right to cast their votes, the SC ordered that Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and ministries of interior and overseas Pakistanis should call a meeting to devise a mechanism in this regard.
The court suggested that the country’s foreign missions can be used as polling stations and that ballot papers can be provided to respective missions after collecting relevant information about number of voters etc. Moreover, overseas voters should themselves send their sealed ballot papers to the ECP to avoid any foul play.
The apex court directed NADRA to issue NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) for overseas Pakistani’s to all eligible voters, while also ordering the ministry for overseas Pakistani’s as well as the Ministry for Law and NADRA to cooperate with the Election Commission in this regard.
In its order the court instructed the election commission to make sure all eligible overseas Pakistani’s are notified of their right to vote and the procedure to cast their vote.
Overseas Pakistani’s will be able to cast their vote via email, or by sending their ballot in a sealed envelope mentioning their constituency to the election commission by post.
The court adjourned the hearing till Feb 22.
DND
