ECP summons important session to decide on use of EVMs

ISLAMABAD: In an important development, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has summoned a meeting on Thursday to mull over using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in upcoming LG polls and 2023 general elections, ARY News reported on Tuesday citing sources.

The ECP also summoned officials EVMs and Overseas Voting Technical Committee that was recently formed by the election body.

The EVMs and Overseas Voting Technical Committee will present its recommendation before the election commission of Pakistan in the meeting, sources informed ARY News.

The development comes after the government urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to release a tender for the procurement of electronic voting machines (EVMs).

“Cabinet has tasked Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Information Technology to assist ECP for purchase of 4000 voting machines in connection with upcoming local government elections in Islamabad,” Fawad Chaudhry told media following a meeting of the federal cabinet on Tuesday.

Earlier it emerged that the ECP would use EVM for the election of Islamabad mayor as the election body said in its letter that after an ordinance, they are bound to use it for the local bodies elections.

“The EVMs will be used at 800 polling stations,” they said as the letter sought 3100 machines for the polling stations and 800 additional for a backup.

The sources said that the commission has also sought technical help from the ministry to train its staff in project management, support services, production testing, quality control, risk management, security mechanism certification and other necessary training needed to use the voting machines.

Previously, it has been reported that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decided to carry out a pilot project of using electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the local bodies elections.