Shehbaz rebuffs proposal to use EVMs in elections

PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday rejected Prime Minister Imran Khan's proposal to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in general elections, saying the system had been rejected by the whole world.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Shehbaz said: "The system of electronic voting is rejected by the whole world. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared it unworkable. Such important national tasks cannot be performed at the request or order of an individual."

He said that a sensitive issue such as electoral reforms could only be tackled with the "will and confidence" of the entire nation, adding: "Parliament is a manifestation of the aspirations and confidence of the people, which has been locked up for three years." "Electoral reform is possible with the consultation of all parties, in light of public opinion and consensus-building exercises."

Shehbaz said that the PML-N had carried out "historic electoral reforms" in the consultation with all political parties, including the PTI which had been in the opposition at the time. "No one objected to these reforms in our time," he added. That "historic document", developed with consensus of opinion, still existed today, he said. However, he added, the current opposition was insulted by creating noise of (National Reconciliation Ordinance) NRO when it had been talking about positive reforms and the economic charter.

"We can make electoral reforms only when we have the patience and courage to take our political opponents along and adopt their suggestions. "The country's reputation is enhanced by justice, transparency and the rule of law, not by

EVMs," said Shehbaz.

"Instead of focusing on electronic voting, [the govt] must worry about the ruined economy, skyrocketing inflation, unemployment and rising mortality rates," he advised.

Reacting to Shehbaz's comments, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that the PML-N's decision to avoid discussions on electoral reforms was "unfortunate"."To say that the reforms are to be carried out by the ECP instead of the parliament shows that they have no understanding of the system and no interest in reforms."