Imran Khan seeks Opposition’s help for reforming electoral system

Prime Minister Imran Khan has invited the opposition parties to sit with the PTI government for electronic voting machines to bring transparency in the elections and to strengthen democracy, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In a tweet uploaded on Saturday, the Prime Minister said, “Our government is determined and we will put in place reforms in our electoral system through the use of technology to bring transparency and credibility to our elections and strengthen our democracy.”

“For a year now we have been asking the Opposition to cooperate with us and help reform our present electoral system,” Imran Khan said.

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Imran Khan took to Twitter after the much-hyped NA-249 by-election results came in, where everyone except the winner PPP was crying a foul and claiming rigging. 

The Prime Minister explained, “Same happened in Daska recently and in the Senate elections. In fact, apart from the 1970 elections, in every election claims of rigging have raised doubts over credibility of election results.”

In NA 249 bye election, despite a low turnout, all parties are crying foul & claiming rigging. Same happened in Daska recently & in Senate elections. In fact, apart from 1970 election, in every election claims of rigging have raised doubts over credibility of election results.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 1, 2021

Citing examples from the past, Imran Khan said, “In 2013 there were 133 NA constituencies' disputes before election tribunals. We asked for an examination of just four constituencies' votes and in all four rigging was established. But it took us a year and a 126-day dharna (sit-in) to get a Judicial Commission which found over 40 faults in the conduct of elections.”

The premier said, “Unfortunately no substantive reforms were put in place. Technology and use of electronic voting machines are the only answer to reclaim credibility of elections. I invite the Opposition to sit with us and select from EVM (Electronic Voting Machines) models we have available to restore our elections credibility.”

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Imran Khan also gave an example of former US president Donald Trump's team which did everything to dispute the 2020 presidential election result; but because technology used in the electoral process not one irregularity was found.