ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has said that the next general elections will take place in Pakistan in 2023 under a new mechanism to ensure transparency in elections.
Talking to the media along with the Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz, the Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Babar Awan, and the Adviser on Interior and Accountability Shahzad Akbar after having a meeting with the Officials of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in Islamabad on Monday, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that the government is discussing the features of the new mechanism with the ECP and also presenting the same at the Parliament.
The information minister said that today, they discussed with the ECP Officials the proposed legislation for Electoral Reforms, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Biometric System and I-Voting.
Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that the government had proposed 49 amendments in the Electoral Reforms Bill tabled in the National Assembly in October last year, and they shared its details with the ECP.
The minister said that it was decided today that the Ministry of Science and Technology will present a demonstration on the EVM to the ECP, and then the Election Commission can appoint a consultant to get his opinion on the matter.
The information minister said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has promised to provide the right to franchise to Overseas Pakistanis, who have an important role in the national development. He said that a report has been presented to the ECP in this regard.
The Science and Technology Minister Shibli Faraz said that it is the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to ensure transparency in the elections to strengthen democracy. He said that only the genuinely elected representatives should come to the Parliament.
Shibli Faraz said that his ministry is working day and night on the election voting machines.
Responding to a question, Shibli Faraz said that the ECP is an independent institution and the government fully respects it.
In his remarks, Babar Awan said that the government has a sufficient majority in both Houses of the Parliament to get the Electoral Reforms Bill passed.
However, he added that we want to take along the opposition parties and will welcome their suggestions on the matter.
The adviser said that we want technology-based elections to ensure complete fairness and transparency in the next general elections.
