Coalition Govt Decides Giving Reserved Seats to Overseas Pakistanis
The coalition government has decided to give reserved seats to overseas Pakistanis in Parliament.
The cabinet has approved this plan and directed Parliamentary Affairs Division to place the matter before the All Parties on Electoral Reforms.
The government plans to give representation to overseas Pakistanis in the National and provincial assemblies.
All Parties Committee on Electoral Reforms will discuss and formulate recommendations.
The government will also consult electoral reforms with the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The Cabinet considered the summary titled ‘Ratification of the Decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC).
The CCLC in Its meeting held on May 23, 2022, had taken a decision.
All Parties Committee on Electoral Reforms to take Final Decision
The Cabinet division had informed the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) of the Cabinet had held a meeting on May 23, 2022.
The CCLC recommended the case for ratification for the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2022.
Cabinet Division had solicited ratification by the Cabinet of the decision taken by the CCLC in the case.
During the discussion, the Minister for Law & Justice/Chairman CCLC highlighted that they had decided to repeal the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2022.
Power Politics Leading Pakistan Nowhere
They took a decision in light of the detailed observations of the Election Commission of Pakistan on the feasibility/practicability of the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and l-voting for overseas Pakistanis in General Elections.
He highlighted that EVM was an expensive option and time consuming to implement due to the logistics involved.
It would also constrain the ECP to conduct the next general elections on time.
On the other hand, he said that the I-voting was vulnerable to cyber-attacks and available technology was not supportive to put in place a robust system.
The countries which were using this system are now reportedly reverting back.
The cabinet members emphasized that overseas Pakistanis were the country’s prized asset, who represent the country abroad and substantially contribute to the economy through foreign remittances.
They also ruled out that overseas Pakistanis do not have voting rights as all overseas Pakistanis who hold an identity card can exercise their right to vote.
However, to further give them a voice, a mechanism, such as reserved seats in the assemblies, the government may consider ensuring their representation in the national political landscape.
Furthermore, being a key stakeholder, cabinet members said the government should also consult the Election Commission of Pakistan in all electoral reforms.
