In a first, overseas Pakistanis vote in by-election

ISLAMABAD: Overseas Pakistanis have started casting their ballots in by-elections being held on 35 constituencies of the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies.

For the first time, expats are exercising their right to franchise in a by-election through i-voting.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in collaboration with National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) has developed a software for online voting for overseas Pakistanis.

So far 700 out of the total 7,346 registered overseas voters in 35 constituencies have cast their votes until filing of this report. These voters have been issued passwords and those without a password will not be eligible to cast their ballots.

ECP has directed the overseas Pakistani, who have not received a password yet, to contact the control room at 0092512778899.A total of 370 candidates are competing in the electoral battle for 35 National and provincial assemblies’ constituencies.

The expats will be able to cast their votes according to Pakistan Standard Time (PST).