ISLAMABAD: All overseas Pakistanis, including those from the UAE, have only two days to register for i-voting for the upcoming by-polls to be held on October 14. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has launched a website www.overseasvoting.gov.pk to exercise their right to vote in the by-polls in October, a private news channel reported on Thursday.
This is the first such internet voting option ever given to Pakistanis and despite criticism. ECP says that the system is foolproof even though it is a pilot project.
Pakistanis voted to elect a new government on July 25, but the majority of overseas registered voters who could not travel back home to vote were deprived of their constitutional right. The online registration procedure began on September 1 and will conclude by September 15. The ECP has also started an awareness programme for overseas Pakistanis to educate them about i-voting.
Registered voters possessing National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and machine-readable passports are eligible for i-voting.
Voters can check their eligibility by entering their NICOP number after which they can start the two-step registration process. The voting is open for 11 National Assembly (NA) constituencies and 26 Provincial Assemblies.
A registered voter will then be sent a verification and voter pass after which he/she can vote from any Internet-connected device. The website offers a detailed help material – from registration to vote casting videos. The material is also downloadable.
Farhat Khan, a resident of Dubai, said that although it was late, it was a welcome move by the government. “I have already registered and I will surely vote on the said date,” she said.
Similar views were echoed by Lateef Choudhary. “I am so happy that the government has finally realised that we are an important part and has given us a voice. I have registered and I am an eligible voter. I shall definitely vote,” he said.
Sohail Qureshi said that though he could not travel for the general elections that were held in July he would vote now. “I was very disappointed that I could not vote in July even though I wanted to. I hope this project of the government is successful and we are able to use it for the next elections,” he said.
