Prime Minister Imran Khan says that those who take advantage of corrupt systems are the ones who are opposing the electronic voting machine (EVM) system, which he believes will “solve a big problem of Pakistan’s electoral process.”
Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad on Wednesday, the premier said that three years of the PTI government were “very difficult”.
“I learned a lot in this period. Until you give up, you won’t lose. Try to reach new heights and never have fear,” the premier advised.
The prime minister said that one should never compromise on their vision, but only improve on it.
“It is necessary for a captain to keep a check on his team. I observed my cabinet under difficult times and I have seen who get nervous under pressure,” he added.
Imran said that he has not learned as much in his short life as he has learned in these three years as the prime minister of Pakistan.
He said he tells all federal ministers that the more hard work they put in, “the greater heights they’ll reach.”
Speaking about the EVM system, the premier said a “mafia” is opposing it because they do not want to see change and development. “What [personal] benefit will the EVM bring to us?” he asked.
He said that every election in Pakistan becomes controversial. Why there is no uproar over the elections in Germany and other countries, he questiond.
PM Imran also gave an example of the electoral system in the US, saying that the uproar in elections disappeared there because of the use of a good electoral system.
The premier said that in every election since 1970 in Pakistan, whoever loses says that the polls were rigged. “We will solve this problem [of rigging] through the EVM system,” he added.
He said that the EVM system is simple – the election is held, you press a button and get the results. “In our country, all the problems start after the end of polling. There is a small section who take advantage of the corrupt system. They are our greatest enemy,” he said.
It is very necessary for us to push ourselves in our last two years, he said, referring to the PTI government. “We have come here after a very difficult time. We have to work hard this year,” he said.
Earlier this month, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had listed 37 reservations against the use of EVM, including one that said that EVMs can be “hacked” and easily tampered with.
Pakistan’s next general elections are slated for 2023.
