Overseas Pakistanis stage protest outside ECP, demand right to vote

ISLAMABAD: A protest demonstration was organised by overseas Pakistanis on Monday outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) headquarters to give them their right to vote.

The protest organized by Pakistan Overseas Forum was participated by dozens of overseas Pakistan in front of ECP. The protestors were holding banners and placards.

Talking to newsmen, Chairman of Overseas Commission Forum, Shahid Ranjha said that they were protesting for their basic right to the vote as the ECP has failed to provide them the right to vote.

He appealed to the chief election commissioner to implement the legislation of the joint parliament. Ranjha said that overseas Pakistanis will never forget the contribution of Prime Minister Imran Khan in ensuring their right to vote.

Earlier, the delegation of the protestors filed another plea in the ECP urging the electoral body to ensure their right to vote within 90 days as the government has passed the bill from the joint session of the parliament.

On Wednesday, the government succeeded in getting two crucial amendments to the Elections Act 2017 passed in a joint sitting of Parliament. The amendments relate to electronic voting machines and the right of overseas Pakistanis to vote.

The bills related to the use of EVMs and overseas Pakistanis’ right to franchise were presented by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Babar Awan in the joint session.

In 2016, the Supreme Court ordered to give the right to vote to overseas Pakistanis but the electoral body has utterly failed in doing so, they added.