ECP plans using Electronic Voting Machines in by-elections

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will begin using the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) on trial basis in the by-elections, said Secretary ECP Babar Yaqub Fateh Muhammad on Tuesday.

Speaking during the inaugural ceremony of five week long training of election officers in Islamabad, the secretary said that District Voters Education Committees have also been revived for general awareness of voters and better coordination of ECP staff with the voters.

He said the process of transferring computerized electoral rolls from National Database and Registration Authority to the ECP will be completed by December this year.

Babar Yaqub said the training of election officers is aimed at producing officers with enhanced capacity to enable free and fair conduct of elections in the country.

“The commission will begin preparations for the general elections of 2018 from July next year, without waiting for the official announcement of schedule,” he said.

The secretary said December 7th will be observed as National Voters Day to mark the one person one vote notion introduced in the country for the first time in 1970 General Elections.

The ECP has decided to bring reforms in the electoral system by using electronic voting machine and biometric system in next general elections. This decision has been taken after the feedback of the last general elections. The ECP has consulted with all stakeholders over the proposed reforms, sources said.