IHC rejects plea against changes to Elections Act.

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a petition challenging the repeal of a clause related to holding of elections through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the Elections Act, 2017 and observed that the right of overseas Pakistanis to cast vote is still intact in the legislation.

The order was issued by Chief Justice Athar Minallah on a petition filed against the recent amendments to the Elections Act, 2017 regarding right to vote to overseas Pakistanis and use of EVMs in the next election.

The petitioners assailed vires of Section 94 inserted in the Elections Act through the Elections (Amendment) Act, 2022. The amended provision stated, 'The commission may conduct pilot projects for voting by overseas Pakistanis in by-elections to ascertain the technical efficacy, secrecy, security and financial feasibility of such voting and shall share the results with the government.' The repealed provision which was inserted in the Act of 2017 through the Elections (Amendment) Act, 2021 was 'Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or rules made there under, the Election Commission of Pakistan shall, with the technical assistance of National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), any other authority or agency, enable overseas Pakistanis, in prescribed manner, subject to secrecy and security, to exercise their right to vote during general...