ISLAMABAD, Nov 5: The overseas Pakistanis may be allowed to exercise their right to vote in the next general election through postal ballot, a senior official of the Election Commission indicated on Monday.

Election Commission’s Additional Secretary Mohammad Afzal Khan told a press briefing that the move would require legislation and a summary had already been sent to the ministry of law and justice.

He said 3.7 million overseas Pakistanis holding NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) had been given the right to vote months ago and their names were on the electoral rolls.

He said more than 10 meetings had been held over the past two years to decide a mechanism for voting by the expatriates and the postal ballot appeared to be the only viable option.

Answering a question, he said elections would be held under the supervision of Election Commission and not any other institution.