Feb 11 , 2016
News
UN expert advises ECP not to hold 2018 polls on electronic voting system
ISLAMABAD – United Nations expert on Electoral Technology advised Pakistan to pilot Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Biometrics till 2018 and launch the technology across Pakistan in 2023 elections after reviewing its merits and demerits.
Speaking to the seminar titled “Use of Modern Technology in Elections”, Ronan McDermott – a leading UN expert on Electoral Technology told a high-profile gathering attended by the chief election commissioner (CEC) and the lawmakers that Pakistan should first understand the use, merits, drawbacks and legal aspects of the modern technology it intends to introduce to its electoral system.
According to the local newspaper, “Subject to successful pilots, and acceptance by stakeholders I recommend that ECP gradually scales up EVM with a target date for full national rollout not earlier than 2023,” the UN expert who was specially invited to brief ECP officials and lawmakers about the use of modern technology in electoral system said.
And CEC Justice (r) Sardar Raza Khan sounded in favour of the advice floated by the UN expert stating that before committing to a large technology purchase, the ECP would carefully review the EVMs and biometric machines. He said that the ECP would continue trying the machines on pilot project basis.
McDermott presented a global view of the merits and demerits of the main electoral technologies and gave comparative experience on the adoption. “My experience in elections management in Pakistan and other countries leads me to recommend that Pakistan pilots a variety of EVM over 2017 and in 2018 General Election. To determine which technology is most appropriate,” he added.
He further stated and recommended that the results management system be given a solid legal framework and be used in all by-elections between now and 2018. “Transparent results management contributes to ECP’s credibility,” he said, adding, trust was more important than technology.
The seminar was attended by the lawmakers of majority political parties including the Pakistan People’s Party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the Pakistan Muslim league-N, the Awami National Party, the Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the Jammat-e-Islami, Pakistan Muslim League-Q and top officials of the ECP and civil society organisations.
“The machinery is no doubt expensive and complicated for the first time users. Moreover, we have to see the specifications and we have to do legislation in this regard,” he added. Though PTI’s MNA and member of the electoral Reforms Committee Arif Alvi said that the electoral machines could be used in 2018 general elections, the experts and lawmakers of other political parties did not agree and said the technology should first be reviewed before spreading it to all polling stations.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk