The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will purchase 400 Electronic Voting Machines, for which a proposal has been submitted to the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
This was revealed by Secretary Election Commission while briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs. The committee met with Mian Abdul Mannan in the chair to discuss “The Representation of the people (Amendment) Bill, 2014”, “The Elections Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2014” and other issues.
The committee members were apprised by the Director General (IT) of ECP regarding advantages and disadvantages of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM). He said that the ECP has forwarded a proposal to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for purchasing of 400 EVM for experimental usage.
The Secretary ECP informed the committee that the dedicated staff for upcoming general election would be appointed and their training will also be arranged. He also stated that a separate wing for registration of women voters have been established in the ECP.
The committee discussed “The Representation of the People Act, 2014″ Bill. The subject bill was presented by S.A. Iqbal Qadri, regarding prevention of women voters from casting their votes or threat, coercion or by any kind understanding, promise or by any agreement in between any group, tribe or political parties.
S.A. Iqbal Qadri was of the opinion that purposed Bill will protect the fundamental rights of women and enable them to use their rights to vote and express their opinion freely.
