ISLAMABAD: Local government elections in Islamabad, slated to be held in April this year, will use electronic voting machines (EVMs), Minister of Science and Technology Shibli Faraz said on Monday.
President Dr. Arif Alvi last year signed the Election (Amendment) Bill, 2021 allowing the use of EVMs in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Khan’s government has been pushing for the use of EVMs in future elections since it unveiled a prototype at the Parliament House last May. The idea of introducing EVMs — which directly record votes and are believed to prevent the irregularities that may occur during manual counting — also caught the spotlight last March after a government candidate lost a key senate seat to a joint opposition candidate, unleashing accusations of rigging and horse trading from the ruling party. A subsequent election for the post of senate chairman in April also became controversial after eight ballot papers had to be wasted by the presiding officer for breaking rules.
Opposition parties have been largely mistrustful of the government’s plans to introduce EVMs and experts have warned of large transitional costs and other technical and logistical issues. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the country’s top body responsible for carrying out elections in Pakistan, has also cast doubts over the execution of the government’s ambitious plan and the machines’ ability to ensure transparency in the electoral process.
“Alhamdulillah, I want to share with you that the debate around the EVMs has entered into another phase,” Faraz said during a press conference on Monday, announcing that EVMs would be used in Islamabad local polls. “The focus of the debate is now on how we can use the EVMs, and how to plan for it.”
He said the ECP had expressed willingness to hold Islamabad local government polls using the voting machines.
“God has given us an opportunity,” he said. “The ECP has informed us about their requirements [for the EVMs] and has also informed us about the number of machines they will need for the Islamabad local government elections.”
“Though the elections will be held in April as per law, a final date is yet to be announced,” said the minister. “The government will provide some machines to the ECP next week for trial and testing.”
Faraz said PM Khan hoped the use of EVMs would see transparent, accurate and non-controversial elections in the future in Pakistan.
“All three targets, transparency, non-controversial elections and accurate results will be achieved through the use of EVMs,” he added.
He said a massive 234,000 votes were rejected in the recently held first phase of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local government elections last month.
“These were the wasted votes from elections held in half of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, not even the entire province,” he observed. “The results even came late, by the next day. Had we employed the EVMs, not a single vote would have been wasted.”
Former secretary election commission Kanwar Dilshad told Arab News last year it was unlikely EMVs could be introduced by the next general election due to financial, logistical and technical constraints.
“At least an amount of Rs1 trillion is required to replace manual voting with digital voting procedures such as Electronic Voting Machines, Biometric Verification Machines or Internet voting for Overseas Pakistani in general elections,” Dilshad said, saying Rs60 billion would be required for the procurement of 350,000 EVMs alone.
“In my opinion this is a futile exercise,” he said. “The Election Commission of Pakistan pilot projects regarding EVMs have failed in the past.”
Pakistan to hold April Islamabad local polls using electronic voting machines
https://arab.news/99ts3
Pakistan to hold April Islamabad local polls using electronic voting machines
- Opposition parties have been largely mistrustful of the government’s plans on electoral reforms
- Experts have warned of large transitional costs, logistical and technical issues in using electronic voting
Pakistan warns of strict action against hoarding petroleum products amid Iran crisis
- OGRA says reports indicate “certain elements” may attempt to hoard petroleum products for profiteering
- Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority says Pakistan’s petroleum reserves stocks adequate, no need for panic buying
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) warned on Thursday that the government will take strict action against anyone found illegally hoarding petroleum products for profiteering, amid fears of a shortage of energy supplies due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Pakistan fears it may face a shortage of petroleum products as Iran has halted oil and gas exports through the Strait of Hormuz amid its ongoing conflict with the US and Israel. The closure of the strategic waterway between Iran and Oman has disrupted tanker traffic through one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints, from where one-fifth of global oil shipments normally pass through.
Pakistan, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern crude with the majority of its energy imports typically transiting the strait, has formed a government committee to monitor the country’s stock of petroleum products. The committee is also reviewing supply chains, price movements and assessing broader implications for inflation, external accounts, and financial stability due to the crisis.
“It has been emphasized that strict action will be taken against any individual or entity found involved in illegal hoarding or storage of petroleum products at unauthorized locations,” OGRA spokesperson Imran Ghaznavi said in a statement.
“Particularly at places other than duly licensed oil depots and retail outlets of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).”
OGRA has repeatedly urged that Pakistan’s stock of petroleum products is adequate and urged the masses not to take part in panic buying. On Wednesday, it allowed oil marketing companies to regulate supplies to their retail outlets so as to discourage hoarding.
The OGRA spokesperson said reports indicate certain elements may attempt to hoard petroleum products for profiteering, adding that provincial chief secretaries have been requested to direct deputy commissioners to conduct inspections in their jurisdictions.
“Any premises found involved in illegal storage of petroleum products will be sealed and action will be taken in accordance with the law,” OGRA warned.
The spokesperson said OGRA was monitoring energy supplies in Pakistan, adding that inspections are being conducted at oil depots and retail outlets to ensure smooth supply of petroleum products.
“The public is advised not to pay attention to rumors and to continue normal consumption patterns, as the petroleum supply situation in the country remains stable,” it added.
Pakistan this week asked Saudi Arabia to help Islamabad secure crude oil supplies through the Red Sea port of Yanbu, as the Strait of Hormuz’s closure threatens its energy supply routes.
Pakistan fears higher global energy prices could lead to consumers paying more for petrol and shelling out more for groceries and other goods, at a time when many are already feeling the impacts of inflation.
