We may perhaps be the only constitutional state which considers voting through the internet safe and secure in a general election for a parliament, which has the powers to legislate laws, amend the constitution with a two-thirds majority, deciding the fate and destiny of over 220 million citizens. A record was made on 19 November 2021, when over 33 bills were passed in under five hours, which were required to be approved after a clause by clause reading, debate and voting.
The USA gives its overseas citizens the right to vote because the right to vote is interlinked with the responsibility of every citizen to file his Income Tax returns with Inland Revenue Department. All American citizens who are registered on the voters list, have to inform their embassy of their present address etc. and are allowed to cast their vote through secure registered postal ballots, issued to them by the competent authority. American troops and those employed overseas cast their votes in a similar manner. This postal balloting facility is also available to all citizens living within the USA because the constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens.
If the federal government in consultation with ECP after going through the process of debate, scrutiny etc. in parliament wants to give its overseas citizens the right to vote, it has to ensure secrecy and security of the ballot beyond any reasonable doubt.
It is an internationally established fact that the internet is neither secure, nor safe from hacking, especially when the internet used is regulated and controlled by a foreign country, where the overseas Pakistanis are residing. Mere passing of a bill by the brute majority, enabling balloting through the internet is in violation of the constitution both in letter and spirit and can compromise state sovereignty.
ALI MALIK TARIQ
Lahore
