General Elections 2023 to be held through EVMs: Babar Awan
Legislative process of electoral reforms will be completed this year
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan has vowed that the federal government will hold General Elections 2023 through electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Speaking to the journalists in Islamabad along with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill, the PM’s adviser said that the federal government is prepared to present the EVMs everywhere. “The legislative process regarding electoral reforms will be completed this year; even we have to approach the Senate or the joint session."
Babar Awan also said that the opposition parties should show its maturity as well as the government is ready to fully cooperate with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). “When they win election in Daska, then immediately chant ‘Zindabad’. This is the method of accepting results of the opposition,” he maintained.
The adviser also mentioned that the thumbprints of 92,000 voters could not be verified in the 2013 elections. “In 2013, the entire system was set up for rigging which is included in the report. Former premier Nawaz Sharif asked to give him two-third majority when the voters had gone their homes in Punjab during the 2013 General Elections.”
Continuing his speech, he said that the government will conduct transparent elections to end the issues of rigging, adding that overseas Pakistanis should get the right to vote. “The opposition says that overseas Pakistanis should not get the right to vote, so the opposition should have mercy on this country and vote,” he said.
“We will complete the legislation of electoral reforms. The prime minister has also given us a deadline and I want to give good news to the nation. Inshallah, we will complete the legislation within this year.”
On the occasion, Dr Shahbaz Gill said that the government will conduct free and fair election even if the opposition protests or exerts pressure. “The next election will not be held in previous method, If the opposition parties have concerns regarding EVM, they should to check and their concerns will be resolved. Later their statements will be considered as useless,” he added.
