Briefing on EVMs expected next week after govt allies raise concerns of cost, security

Government allies are expected to receive a detailed briefing on electronic voting machines next week after they raised several concerns over their use, including the cost and level of security needed, sources told Geo News on Wednesday.

According to the sources, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to provide a briefing to the coalition partners during a meeting yesterday between the PTI and its allied parties.

The sources said that during the meeting, the allies complained that they had not been taken into confidence on developments surrounding EVMs. They felt that they had been sidelined while drafting the all-important legislation for the use of the machines, the sources added.

"The government must refrain from making such important decisions unilaterally," the sources quoted the allies as saying.

They demanded that a detailed briefing be given to them on the use and functions of EVMs.

Several questions were also raised, such as: "How effective will this machine be for Pakistan's electoral system?"

Other questions included, "how safe are these machines?" and "who will use these machines in rural areas?"

The allies also demanded to know how much it will cost to buy the machines and who will be responsible for their security.

Allied parties express full confidence in leadership, policies of PM

A day earlier, a delegation of the leaders of the government’s allied parties called on PM Imran Khan and expressed their full confidence in his leadership and policies, state-run APP reported.

During the meeting, matters relating to the overall political and economic situation in the country were discussed, APP said.

Member National Assembly (MNA) Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister for Law Farogh Nasim, and Minister for Information Technology Amin-ul-Haq represented the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM).

Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) was represented by MNA Ghaus Bakhsh Mehr and Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Dr Fehmida Mirza.

Minister for Water Resources Moonis Elahi represented Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q).

Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) was represented by Chief Minister Baluchistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and Senator Manzoor Ahmad Khan Kakar.

Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmad represented Awami Muslim League Pakistan (AMLP).

Special Assistant to PM Shahzain Bugti represented Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP).

The government side was represented by the Minister for Defence Pervaiz Khattaq, Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain and Special Assistant to PM Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar.