President Dr. Arif Alvi on Sunday handed over an unsigned bill seeking to reverse controversial changes made to election laws by the previous PTI government regarding the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and online voting for Overseas Pakistanis, saying the proposed cancellations were “regressive”. “in nature.
The bill, along with the NAB amendments bill, passed the National Assembly and Senate last month. After it was approved by both houses, only the president’s assent was needed for it to become law. However, Alvi returned the bills, following which the government convened a joint session of the NA and the Senate on June 9 to consider the bills, which were approved the same day.
According to the procedure, after the adoption of the bills by the joint session, they are again presented to the president for his assent. If the President does not give his approval within 10 days, it will be deemed to have been given.
Despite this, Alvi today returned the electoral reform bill, unsigned.
In a statement released by the President’s Secretariat, Dr Alvi said he had not signed the bill “despite the fact that the Constitution he stands for will make it law.”
Explaining why he did not sign it, he said he has been pursuing EVM issues and voting for Overseas Pakistanis with all governments, parliament and the Supreme Court for over a decade.
He referred to Article 75 (2) of the Constitution of Pakistan which states: “When the President has referred a bill to the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), it shall be reconsidered by the Majlis-e -Shoora (Parliament) in common. . sitting and if it is again adopted, with or without amendment, by the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), by a majority of the votes of the members of both Houses present and voting, it shall be deemed for the purposes of the Constitution to passed by both Houses and must be presented to the Speaker, and the Speaker must give his assent within ten days, failing which such assent shall be deemed to have been given. »
Dr Alvi said it had been ‘very painful’ for him not to sign a bill passed by parliament and wanted to ‘record his reasons for posterity’.
The President said that in addition to the regressive nature of the proposed laws which he outlined in detail when he sent the Bill back to Parliament, he strongly believes that today’s technology, especially with EVMs when ‘it is used wisely, contains many solutions that reduce the impact of confusion, discord. and accusations in our “still tainted” and contested electoral processes,” the President’s Secretariat said.
“Technology can also improve transparency, make elections inclusive with the vote of our overseas Pakistanis, build trust and reduce polarization to finally realize our elusive dream of free and fair elections,” he said. He underlines.
More than that, the statement continued, the president wanted Pakistan to “jump into the world of tomorrow”, and not just solve problems through yesterday’s lens and experiences, but through newer scientific approaches. and best that were available.
“He understands that this cannot be done without confidence building in all aisles and broad stakeholder involvement. Why has this not been done and why the obvious was not visible to the opinion and decision-makers will remain an enigma for him.”
The President further observed that current and future governments and parliaments would be faced with two choices: “Let the past drag Pakistan down or allow the lessons of the past and the technologies of today to propel us forward. progressive and vibrant future of Pakistan that has been our dream.”
“Many of these decisions will continue to challenge us, and history shows that those who make the right decisions ‘rise’, and those who don’t, waste opportunities that obstruct their path to glory,” added Dr. Alvi.
