Free and fair polls: Govt to introduce electronic voting in country, announces PM

(Karachi) Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government has planned to introduce electronic voting in the country and for the purpose discussions are underway with the Election Commission.

Addressing the nation on electoral reforms on Tuesday, he said: "We want a latest system where the losing party accepts its defeat." Imran stated that as part of the reforms, the Senate elections will be held through show of hands to dispel the impression of rigging.

"We also want to introduce a system for overseas Pakistanis so that they could cast their votes and become a part of the democratic decision-making process in the country."

Giving the example of 2013 and 2018 elections, the premier said that it was the PTI which started a campaign for free-and-fair elections in the country.

"In 2013, when all parties said that the polls had been rigged, we were the first ones to go to courts to demand the audit of at least four constituencies, " he said. "We also staged dharnas, after which 133 petitions were signed by different parties against rigging."

He said a committee was formed under the head of Federal Minister Pervez Khattak over rigging allegations in 2018 polls, which was attended by the opposition parties only at once, and then their leaders skipped the meetings.

Imran stated, "The sole purpose of demanding the audit of the four constituencies was not to win but to set a precedent that rigging is not acceptable."

He said that in view of the upcoming elections in Azad Kashmir as well as the Senate election, the PTI-led government wants to ascertain an environment where every party that faces a defeat would readily accept it instead of lamenting about rigging.

He said the government will grant provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan at every cost.

He added, "I am grateful to the people of Gilgit Baltistan on supporting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in recent elections."