EVM to be presented in National Assembly tomorrow

Published August 8, 2021
Prime Minister Imran Khan being briefed on functions of the electronic voting machine on Aug 5. — White Star/File
Prime Minister Imran Khan being briefed on functions of the electronic voting machine on Aug 5. — White Star/File

ISLAMABAD: An Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) will be presented in the National Assembly before its session begins on Monday (tomorrow).

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz has invited the NA members to share their observations and offer constructive remarks about the EVM.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Senator Faraz said after the NA session the EVM would be presented to all four provincial assemblies and their members would be requested to vote using the machine in order to understand the process better.

“Free and credible elections using technological advancements is the need of the time. The ministry of science and technology is playing its active role in expediting the process towards electronic and transparent elections,” he said, adding that this was the much-needed step to ensure transparent elections in the country.

Earlier, the minister presented the machine to Prime Minister Imran Khan who appreciated and highlighted the importance of introduction of EVM for free and credible elections.

The EVM would be presented to the Senate chairman on Tuesday and to the NA speaker on Wednesday.

Mr Faraz said he would welcome any observations from members of the National Assembly and emphasised that suggestions would be taken into account in detail. He said that change of political culture using modern and transparent means would help promote true democracy.

“We are thankful to the president and the prime minister for their continuous support in achieving this landmark development,” he said.

The minister said that the EVM was simple and user-friendly, both for voters and the polling staff.

“It eliminates rigging during and after the election. And in case of election disputes, it will provide data for audit and trial,” he said, adding that his ministry would give a similar presentation to the media soon.

The EVM was being developed using indigenous technologies at half the cost of imported devices by the National University for Science and Technology, Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (Pakistan) and National Institute of Engineering.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...