From Abid Usman
LAHORE: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Dr. Shahbaz Gill said the government is determined to give right-to-vote to overseas Pakistanis in the next general elections.
Talking to newsmen in Lahore Sunday, he lauded the role of overseas Pakistanis in the national development by sending remittances to Pakistan in record numbers.
He said all arrangements are being finalised for use of electronic voting machines in the next general elections. He said some six hundred Electronic Voting Machines will be manufactured during next three months.
Days earlier, the National Assembly (NA) had passed the Election Act Amendment Bill, 2020 containing dozens of amended clauses for bringing electoral reforms including the voting right for overseas Pakistanis. The Lower House Thursday passed the amended Election Act, 2017 that was presented by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan. The Election Act Amendment Bill, 2020 contains dozens of amended clauses aiming to bring electoral reforms regarding the voting right for overseas Pakistanis, the open ballot for Senate polls, use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and other sections to ensure transparent and fair elections.
The bill had earlier sailed through the NA Standing Committee on Parliament Affairs chaired by Mujahid Ali, however, the opposition members gave their dissenting notes by calling it legislation in haste.
In a Twitter message, Dr Babar Awan had congratulated the overseas national for getting the right of voting after 73 years as the amended election bill has been passed by the National Assembly (NA).
He criticised that the opposition lawmakers have boycotted the voting for th e amended electoral bill. Dr Awan added that the bill will be presented to the Senate to grant voting right for overseas Pakistanis.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari blamed the federal government for seizing the opposition’s right to carry out debate on the legislation. He alleged that the election ‘rigging’ bill was forcedly passed from the lower house besides passing many other bills as well.
Separately, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib has said PTI government was committed to progress and prosperity in the country and revolutionary relief measures have been proposed for deprived segments of society.
Speaking at a news conference in Faisalabad on Sunday, he said the government has presented an excellent budget and huge funds have been allocated for the welfare projects. The Minister of State said allocation for Ehsaas Program has been increased from 210 billion to 260 billion rupees and more beneficiaries have been registered through survey.
He said Kamyab Pakistan program is being introduced to support four to six million families. The Minister of State said ten big dams are being constructed to provide ten thousand megawatt electricity.
