THE recent hackings of high security institutions of the United States have exposed loopholes in internet-based systems. All citizens of Pakistan residing within and outside the country have the right to cast their vote in free and fair elections conducted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). However, it must be understood that national security and sovereignty of the state are sacrosanct and should never be compromised. Logistics in countries like the US, which comprises scores of states and four contiguous time zones, is a hurdle, except perhaps in cities where our consulates exist.

In the light of the latest internet attack, it is safe to say that the sanctity of the vote cast by overseas Pakistanis via the internet cannot be assured.

Moreover, this right of voting cannot be given to those who have on oath pledged in the United States that they “absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any state, or sovereignty, of whom, or which, [they] have heretofore been a subject or citizen” and have further sworn to “support and defend the constitution and laws” of the ‘adopted’ country.

Such an oath binds the individual to bear arms on behalf of the US against all its enemies, foreign or domestic, and also to perform non-combatant service in the armed forces when required by the law.

The Patriot Act passed by US Congress binds all American citizens to this oath with severe punishment for individual and his/her family if they fail to perform as per their pledge. If these overseas Pakistanis want to vote, they must pledge a fresh oath of loyalty to Pakistan.

Malik Tariq Ali
Lahore

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RECENTLY, the National Assembly passed the Electoral Reforms Bill 2021 which allows overseas Pakistanis to cast their vote through e-voting. Besides, the government introduced the electronic voting system (EVS), which, according to a minister, will be used in the next general elections.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has voiced concerns, arguing that the bill transfers its powers to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra). How can there be fair elections when the institution which has powers regarding the holding of elections works directly under the government?

Additionally, the bill allows the overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes through internet voting system (IVS). A Spanish information technology (IT) audit company is said to have suggested to the government not to use this system, as the vote is encrypted on the server, allowing cyber-attackers to track the votes, create fake votes, enable decryption, and destroy the votes cast. The report says it will take two to three years to have a flawless IVS with the help of a team of 25-30 professionals.

The government, therefore, should revisit the bill and take effective measures to establish a flawless IVS before launching the system.

Tarique Raja Wassan
Lahore

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2021