President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday approved and signed the Electoral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 to facilitate overseas Pakistanis to cast their vote from abroad.
Giving details of the ordinance, the spokesman to the president, Senator Farhatullah Babar said the ordinance provides that at least 14 days before the day fixed for poll abroad, the Election Commission of Pakistan shall set up polling stations with as many polling booths as maybe necessary in the premises of an embassy, a mission or a consulate provided that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has obtained consent of the host countries for establishment of the polling stations.
He added that the ordinance says that an overseas Pakistani, not later than 10 days before the day fixed for poll abroad, register himself as an elector in the embassy, mission or consulate where he intends to cast his vote.
“To ensure the conduct of free, fair and transparent poll, the Election Commission of Pakistan shall appoint as many independent monitors as necessary at a polling station abroad,” Babar quoted the ordinance as stating.
He said the ordinance shall come into force at once but shall take effect on the date or dates to be notified by the ECP in the official gazette.