“The Election Committee reached a consensus on the use of technology,” Shibli Faraz stated

• Shibli Faraz told the media that ECP is satisfied with EVM and made suggestions on the role of the chairman.
• “A consensus on the use of technology in elections has been formed,” Shibli Faraz claimed.
• Shibli Faraz said that the voter identification system can be integrated into the EVM within a week if required by the ECP.

Islamabad: Science and Technology Minister Shibli Faraz said on Tuesday that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reached a consensus on the use of technology.

In an interview with the media, the Federal Minister stated that the ECP authorities asked 75 questions about the electronic voting machine (EVM), adding that all the answers to all questions were considered satisfactory.

He stated that ECP is satisfied with the EVM developed by his department.

“At today’s meeting, ECP expressed satisfaction with EVM, but the committee made some valuable suggestions on the role of the moderator,” Faraz said.

He stated that a consensus has been reached on the use of technology in elections.

Faraz added: “Since it is decided that the 2023 elections will be conducted through the use of EVM, we must decide on the strategy and timetable so that all processes, including EVM bidding, can be initiated when all stakeholders are satisfied.”

The minister told the media that the meeting discussed the issue of repeated voting.

Faraz emphasized that if certain voters or moderators try to vote on the EVM repeatedly, they need to incorporate a strong voter identification system.

He added that although the government is meeting all ECP requirements for manufacturing EVM, it is also preparing to incorporate the voter identification system.

“If the ECP requires us to incorporate the voter identification system into the EVM, the ministry can complete it within a week,” the minister said.

Faraz further stated that the government is working hard to involve more technology and reduce human intervention in the voting process to prevent manipulation.

In answering a question, the minister said that the government plans to educate the masses in different ways to let them understand the utility of technology in elections.

“The EVM is used in elections to solve all the issues that affect the credibility of the results and make the election controversial,” Faraz said.

He added that all stakeholders including parliament, opposition parties, ECP and the masses are using EVM in elections.

Regarding testing EVM, Faraz said that they can be tested in any local government election before the general election.

The Federal Minister also invited opposition parties and the public to review the EVM and stated that the government will work hard to resolve their reservations in this regard.

“I ask the opposition party not to reject it without censorship. [just] For criticism and [Opposition] Their technical experts should be sent to review its work,” Faraz said.

He added that the Ministry of Science and Technology has prepared a model machine and will accept ECP’s decision after today’s review.

“ECP is a constitutional institution, and the government cannot regulate it,” he said.

Faraz further stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken a revolutionary step towards electoral reform, and the introduction of EVM will change the country’s electoral history.

He said that this machine has no secrets and their sole purpose is to bring transparency to the election process.

“Even the ECP is choosing technological changes to improve the election process,” the minister concluded.