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LAHORE, (MANEND NEWS): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)
President and Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Mian
Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday rejected Prime Minister Imran
Khan’s proposal to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in general
elections, saying the system had been rejected by the whole world.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Shehbaz Sharif said: “The system of
electronic voting is rejected by the whole world. The Election
Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared it unworkable. Such
important national tasks cannot be performed at the request or order
of an individual.”
He said that a sensitive issue such as electoral reforms could only be
tackled with the “will and confidence” of the entire nation, adding:
“Parliament is a manifestation of the aspirations and confidence of the
people, which has been locked up for three years.”
“Electoral reform is possible with the consultation of all parties, in light
of public opinion and consensus-building exercises.”
Shehbaz Sharif said that the PML-N had carried out “historic electoral
reforms” in the consultation with all political parties, including the PTI
which had been in the opposition at the time. “No one objected to
these reforms in our time,” he added.
That “historic document”, developed with consensus of opinion, still
existed today, he said. However, he added, the current opposition was
insulted by creating noise of (National Reconciliation Ordinance) NRO
when it had been talking about positive reforms and the economic
charter.
“We can make electoral reforms only when we have the patience and
courage to take our political opponents along and adopt their
suggestions.
“The country’s reputation is enhanced by justice, transparency and the
rule of law, not by EVMs,” said Shehbaz Sharif. “Instead of focusing on
electronic voting, [the govt] must worry about the ruined economy,
skyrocketing inflation, unemployment and rising mortality rates,” he
advised.