PM decides to take lawmakers into confidence on electoral reforms

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has finally decided to take the ruling coalition into confidence over the government-proposed electoral reforms and employing the Electronic Voting Machine for the upcoming elections.

In this regard, an exclusive meeting of the parliamentary party of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and its allies has been convened.

According to an informed source, the prime minister took the decision during the federal cabinet meeting held on Tuesday.

According to the source, the parliamentary party and its allies’ meeting will be briefed on the amendments to the Electoral Reforms Bill. The meeting will also discuss employing the EVMs, i-voting, and electoral reforms.

According to the source, the opposition parties will also be consulted following the parliamentary party meeting gives its nod to the decision.

When asked to comment, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that the cabinet was briefed on EVM and i-voting. He said that the prime minister had gave directions to Dr Babar Awan and his deputy, Ali Muhammad Khan, to brief the MPs over the electoral reforms bill.

Fawad Chaudhry said that a debate in the parliament between the opposition and the treasury benches would be welcomed.

“We welcome the discussion on electoral reforms. We are ready for talks with the opposition. Giving the right to vote to overseas Pakistanis is another good norm in the electoral reforms bill,” he concluded.

Mian Abrar
Mian Abrar
The writer heads Pakistan Today's Islamabad Bureau. He has a special focus on counter-terrorism and inter-state relations in Asia, Asia Pacific and South East Asia regions. He tweets as @mian_abrar and also can be reached at [email protected]

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