Law minister rules out possibility to use EVMs in next elections

ISLAMABAD: Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar has said the prerogative to use the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the general elections lies with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar said it is not possible to use the EVMs in elections immediately, but the decision lies with the ECP. He said according to the ECP, it is unlikely to use the EVMs for next one year.

He said a pilot project will be held in by-elections and for voting rights for overseas Pakistanis before any legislation is passed. He said the government is considering giving overseas Pakistanis representation in the parliament.

He said the NAB is playing a role in politics and bureaucrats are reluctant in fulfilling their responsibilities due to fear of retribution by the anti-graft watchdog. He added that the NAB laws have been amended to stop their misuse.

Read more: Senate passes NAB, Elections (Amendment) bills

Regarding the reduction in remand duration for suspects, the minister said the 90 days remand was for terrorists and not white-collar crimes. He said the remand has been reduced to 14 days in cases of corruption and embezzlement. The law minister expressed concerns that NAB was being used against political rivals.

Tarar further said the ECP had raised 34 objection to its recommendations for electoral reforms. He hailed the role of overseas Pakistanis in the nation’s development but said the government needs more time to allow them to participate in elections.  He said the PTI’s Internet Wing allowed overseas Pakistanis the right to vote, and the bill passed in haste.

The minister said no party opposed the NAB Ordinance 2017 but the PTI passed the legislation along with 23 other bills. He said in 2021, the PTI bulldozed the bill through parliament without any debate.

He said the Supreme Court has also expressed concerns that NAB is being used for political purposes and fingers are been pointed at the institution.

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