Federal Railways Minister Azam Swati has said that the government will introduce the electronic voting machine (EVM) to give people a fair system no matter how much hurdles are created in this regard.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, he said that the appointment of the chief election commissioner (CEC) is a secret. “We knew that the CEC is the wrist watch of older Mian Sahib, while a cane of younger Mian Sahib,” he maintained.
The ECP had issued notices to Swati and the Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry last week after they had levelled allegations against the institution.
“On whose advice, the CEC is hell bent on destroying the great institution of the Election Commission of Pakistan?” he queried.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said that efforts are being made to make the electoral reforms controversial.
“The caretaker government, not Imran Khan, will hold the next election. It is wrong legally and morally to accuse the present government of stealing the elections,” he added.
Babar Awan said that the opposition will have to tell the people the reason behind being fearful of the voting machine. “Why do they (the opposition) not give the overseas Pakistanis the right to vote?” he questioned.
The advisor stated that perception is being created that the PTI will try to rig the elections through EVMs.
Interestingly, the idea of using the voting machines was first presented during the PPP’s tenure, he added.
“The electoral reforms are being made controversial. The government is ready to work with the opposition on the reforms,” he continued.
Awan said the opposition wants the electoral reforms bill to be presented in a committee comprising members from both houses — Senate and National Assembly. “The government is ready to do it.”
The advisor said he would request Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani to form a committee in this regard, but he cast doubt on the opposition’s demand.
