EVM: the PM irritated by “unjustified” criticism

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ISLAMABAD: Three days after the ECP expressed concerns at a protest given by Minister of Science and Technology Shibli Faraz, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday stressed that he responded to unwarranted criticism of the voting machines electronic (EVM) with facts.

He shared these views while chairing a high-level meeting on EVM, according to an official statement.

The PM called for formulating an awareness campaign to sensitize people and stakeholders on the usefulness of EVMs, the statement added.

The Prime Minister was briefed on the Judicial Commission’s legal amendment proposal regarding the use of VPDs, he said, adding that the meeting was also informed that measures such as the use of VPDs were aimed at to ensure the transparency of the elections.

Electronic voting machines: the ECP-government division is growing

Earlier on Tuesday, a clear rift between the federal government and the Pakistan Election Commission (ECP) became visible on the issue of EVMs after the ECP formed a technical assessment committee to review EVMs “in all aspects. as ECP officials raised questions and expressed concerns about the operation of EVMs in a related briefing given by Shibli Faraz.

On the other hand, Faraz told the media that ECP “expressed satisfaction” with the EVMs prepared by his ministry.

However, an ECP statement released after the Faraz protest said Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, ECP members and other senior officials raised questions and concerns during the meeting. of information.

The ECP was made aware of the various functions of the EVMs, including its software, hardware and other features.

ECP officials also told officials at the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) that relevant laws need to be amended for the introduction of EVMs in general ballots.

The MoST team assured the ECP that it will improve the EVMs in light of the recommendations made and concerns raised by the ECP, the statement said.

The ECP said its technical evaluation committee will review the EVMs in all aspects and submit its report to the electoral body.

PM tests electronic voting machine

The ECP also announced that it would engage the services of technical consultants to assist the commission on issues such as EVMs, internet voting (i-voting) for overseas Pakistanis, preparation of electoral rolls. and related matters.

However, Faraz told a different story. He told the media after the EVM demonstration that CEC “congratulated us on preparing for the EVM”.

The ECP, he said, expressed satisfaction with the EVMs prepared by the MoST.

He said that ECP officials asked some 75 questions related to the operation of EVMs, to which the MoST team responded.

The government and the ECP have in principle decided to use the technology in the 2023 general election, Faraz said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021

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