Towards electronic voting

Preparing for general elections of 2018

Following the catastrophic results of the indelible ink experiment of the 2013 elections, it is heartening to note that the government will be introducing a more reliable and scientific system of voter identification for the 2018 general elections. ECP Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad’s report to Public Accounts Committee – confirming the government’s plans to procure biometric machines in time for the next general elections – is a high note in these uncertain times, with the opposition clamouring at the government on the domestic front and, internationally, the obstacles presented to the SAARC summit.

Considering that prominent players in the opposition – most notably the leader of the PTI, Imran Khan – counted foul play and lack of transparency as their main points of contention against the government following the last elections, one can only hope that they too will publically welcome biometric verification as a step towards electronic voting, considered a more secure method of identification in the electoral process.

We would reiterate, this is a welcome step, but it should not be forgotten that this is just the first step towards the ultimate goal of electronic voting, which is in use in many countries today. It must be tested and will take time and constant effort to improve and correct. Those in charge would be advised, therefore, to test this method before it is properly implemented in 2018’s general election. An acceptable trial would be testing this new system in the by-elections in the coming years, which will help discover and root out any flaws in the system. It will also help to introduce this system to the Pakistani people, who will take time and will need to assimilate to these technological changes to avoid mishaps when the general elections begin in full force.