LAHORE: The Punjab government is considering using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in upcoming local government elections, scheduled to be held next year in the province.
Deliberations were made on the proposal during a meeting held under the chair of Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar on Wednesday. It was decided during the meeting that the proposals be given a legal cover so that they could be implemented during the upcoming local body elections in the province.
The chief minister has already given a nod for the digitisation of the electoral process as per the party’s policy. He, however, directed senior party leaders to take Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) allies on board, especially the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leaders, who have already expressed reservations over the matter.
The federal government has already passed legislation to use the EVMs in the next general elections despite strong resistance by the opposition. Now, the Punjab government has decided to follow suit by using EVMs in the local government elections.
Addressing the participants of today’s meeting, CM Buzdar underscored that the draft of the new local government act has been prepared in consultation with allies and stakeholders. It would empower the people at the grassroots level, he added.
The meeting was attended by the Punjab Local Government Minister Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat, Local Government Department secretary and other senior officials.
