ISLAMABAD ( BMZ REPORT )
On the mandate given by the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms, Minister of state for IT Ms. Anusha Rahman convened a meeting of all stake holders including solution vendors and technical experts from MoIT, ECP, PTA to appraise the requirements for technical solution encompassing all elements of electronic voting in Islamabad today.
MOS IT while giving background indicated the need for a solid solution to positively demonstrate to the electoral reform committee the practicality, Integrity, Cost effectiveness, simplicity and adequacy of latest technical solution proposed for carrying out voting through electronic voting. This she added was necessary so that the electronic voting machines (EVMs) could be used to make the electoral process more transparent in future. Therefore these machines should be consistent with the requirements and specifications of the ECP and should not only verify the identity of the voter but also ensure flawless casting of the vote with accounting mechanism.
Live demonstration of EVM and biometric device components manufactured by different players was seen by the participants while it was decided that formal full scale demonstrations will be set for next week. As a result of the stakeholder consultation process a consolidated report on way forward will be presented to the Parliamentary Committee. ECP will take all necessary actions to then make provisions in the electoral process on the recommendations approved by the parliamentary Committee.
Addl. secretary IT, Mr.Babar Hassan Bharwana, Member telecom Mudassar Hussain,MD TIP and senior Officials from KRL, ECP were also present in the meeting.