7,364 eligible I-voters get passes: ECP

ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 (APP):Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Friday said that as many as 7,364 eligible I-voters have received their voters’ passes for bye-election being held on October 14 in 35 constituencies.
According to an official of ECP, the commission has issued voters passes to these successful registered overseas Pakistanis during the registration process of I-voters through their email ID.
He said that all registered I-voters can cast their vote in bye-elections.
He added only registered I-Voters with having voters passes will have right of casting vote.
He asked all such pass holders to exercise their right of vote during 8:00am to 5:00pm (Pakistan Standard Time) on polling day.
He advised the I-voters to cast their vote as early as possible.
The registered I-voters will be responsible to protect the information of voter pass, he added. He said that I-voters should avoid sharing any information about their log in and voter pass with anyone for safety of such information.
He said that the ECP had started registration of overseas Pakistani voters from September 1 for giving them right to vote in bye-polls.
He added all overseas Pakistanis had been asked to register themselves as voters by due date.
He said the commission had also extended the date for registration of overseas Pakistanis from September 15 to September 17 for exercising their right of casting vote in bye-elections.
The official said all registered overseas Pakistanis voters would have the right of casting vote in bye-election through I-voting system.
He said a letter had been written to the Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs to direct the Pakistani missions abroad to educate overseas Pakistanis regarding registration process and right of their vote in bye-elections in their respective constituencies.
He said the ECP’s passes for I-voters will be valid for stipulated time for overseas Pakistanis to avail the opportunity and cast their vote in bye-elections.
The official added the commission will generate I-voting pass system for registered overseas Pakistanis on October 14 and all eligible voters can cast their vote during Pakistan Standard Time.
He said that the ECP had registered only those overseas Pakistanis who had machine readable passport, National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis and their valid email address.
He said through ECP’s special software, the overseas Pakistanis will be able to cast their vote by using their email.
He added a specific website had been developed jointly by ECP and NADRA for awareness and other aspects to encourage overseas Pakistanis to register for I-voting with instruction in English and Urdu.
He said I-voting is a pilot project and after use of this system, the commission will compile and submit a report with the parliament for further legislation.