Online votes for overseas Pakistanis on the cards

[Syed1]

ISLAMABAD: With the Supreme Court’s approval, the country’s biggest database manager has started working on the development of an integrated internet voting system aimed at extending the right of franchise to over seven million Pakistanis living abroad in time for the next general elections.

According to a presentation given by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to the apex court on Wednesday, a three-tier electronic mechanism – named the Internet Voting System for Overseas Pakistanis – will be developed at a cost of Rs150 million and within a period of four months. The ECP would provide the required funds for the project.

The three-tier internet voting mechanism includes voter registration and verification, vote casting procedures, and results compilation and audit.
Mechanism devised for overseas voting

Registration

After the creation of a web portal, according to the plan, voters living abroad will register themselves as overseas voters. Upon entering the web portal, users will be asked to enter their National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (Nicop) number and other details.

Following registration, voter’s verification will be started using the databases of NADRA, the ECP, and the Passport departments and through some secret questions related to the family tree of every individual.

Once initial voter verification is completed, they would be interviewed through electronic means by representatives of the Election Commission of Pakistan. In case of a successful interview, the system would generate a ‘successful registration email’ to the overseas voter.

They would then be issued a secure voter ID for polling day.

Overseas Pakistanis may win postal voting right

Voting

On polling day in Pakistan, overseas Pakistanis would cast their vote as per their registration for i-voting as per electoral rolls. The ECP will be required to register overseas Pakistanis in their home constituencies in fresh electoral rolls.

On polling day, overseas Pakistanis would log on to a website and enter their secret voter IDs, which will be communicated to overseas voters on polling day.

After logging in, the voter would select a National Assembly or Provincial Assembly ballot option and select from a list of candidates for their constituency.

PTI moves SC for granting right of franchise to overseas Pakistanis

Verification

The third and final phase of the process will cover result compilation and audit. An internet polling booth will be established in every constituency and returning officers will have access to e-voting results in each constituency at the end of polling time in Pakistan.

The electronic system will be secured through a firewall, intrusion detection system, and intrusion prevention system.

NADRA has suggested that it would provide technical training to ECP staff.

After hearing all the details from NADRA officials about the proposed voting system, the chief justice of Pakistan observed that he was ready to contribute his three-month salary to develop that system that would cost around Rs150 million.

‘Overseas Pakistanis should get right to vote’

The CJP also appreciated the efforts of NADRA in this regard.

Senior PTI leader Dr Arif Alvi, who was a member of the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms, which debated overseas voting rights for almost three years, said he was ready to voluntarily resign from his National Assembly seat if NADRA wants to pilot test the internet voting system in one constituency.

“PTI is ready to support NADRA politically and financially to help introduce this plan which would give voices to over seven million Pakistanis living abroad,” Alvi said.


https://tribune.com.pk/story/1617384/1-online-votes-overseas-pakistanis-cards/

 

[Syed1]

If this happens then even ten Nawaz Sharifs cannot prevent an Imran Khan victory, and Noora cheerleaders like [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] will be left throwing their toys out of the pram.

 

[Syed1]

"After hearing all the details from NADRA officials about the proposed voting system, the chief justice of Pakistan observed that he was ready to contribute his three-month salary to develop that system that would cost around Rs150 million."


This CJP is a heera.... Love hai tu boyyyyyy

 

[Syed1]

"Senior PTI leader Dr Arif Alvi, who was a member of the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms, which debated overseas voting rights for almost three years, said he was ready to voluntarily resign from his National Assembly seat if NADRA wants to pilot test the internet voting system in one constituency."



MNA from my halka..... making me proud


#Is Halkay ko Halqa math lehna

 

[Mamoon]

If this happens then even ten Nawaz Sharifs cannot prevent an Imran Khan victory, and Noora cheerleaders like [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] will be left throwing their toys out of the pram.

When it comes to online and armchair patriotism, the Junoonis heavily outnumber the Nooras. Hence, if this happens, it will be a landslide victory for PTI.

However, the more pertinent question to ponder is if the online Junoonis would be willing to relocate to Pakistan and show the world that Naya Pakistan is worth living in?

 

[Syed1]

When it comes to online and armchair patriotism, the Junoonis heavily outnumber the Nooras. Hence, if this happens, it will be a landslide victory for PTI.

However, the more pertinent question to ponder is if the online Junoonis would be willing to relocate to Pakistan and show the world that Naya Pakistan is worth living in?

We will relocate when you do. So don't talk

 

[Mamoon]

We will relocate when you do. So don't talk

I will be back next year whether it is Naya Pakistan or Purana Pakistan. Can’t say the same for others.

 

[Syed1]

I will be back next year whether it is Naya Pakistan or Purana Pakistan. Can’t say the same for others.

We will see when it happens.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

That means I can vote!!! Or maybe not, residents of AJK do not usually vote in Pakistani elections.

 

[DRsohail]

When it comes to online and armchair patriotism, the Junoonis heavily outnumber the Nooras. Hence, if this happens, it will be a landslide victory for PTI.

However, the more pertinent question to ponder is if the online Junoonis would be willing to relocate to Pakistan and show the world that Naya Pakistan is worth living in?

It does not mean that everyone should stay here ,but overseas pakistani should be given the right to vote,and knowing more about good governance i am sure most of their votes will go to PTI.

 

[Waseem]

That would HUGE victory as majority of overseas Pakistanis support PTI but this is one of those "too good to be true" news which i won't believe till it really happens.

Arif Alvi has done a great job to keep the pressure on so regardless of outcome, he deserves a lot of credit.

 

[Bewal Express]

Who would be eligible? Dual nationals, just PK passport holders or NADRA CARD holders.

 

[Syed1]

Who would be eligible? Dual nationals, just PK passport holders or NADRA CARD holders.

It says in the report that you need your NICOP - National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis.

 

[JoniInsafian]

It would be good to have seperate constituencies for overseas with MNA from expat community.... It would be even more landslide victory for PTI.... Like this I think overseas vote will be diluted...

Also process for sign-up seems needlessly complicated... They probably want to discourage people from voting... I think maybe 10% of overseas will vote, being optimistic... Probably 5%...

 

[Eagle_Eye]

It would be good to have seperate constituencies for overseas with MNA from expat community.... It would be even more landslide victory for PTI.... Like this I think overseas vote will be diluted...

Also process for sign-up seems needlessly complicated... They probably want to discourage people from voting... I think maybe 10% of overseas will vote, being optimistic... Probably 5%...

Do you get to vote for constitutiency according to address on nicop?

 

[Eagle_Eye]

It would be good to have seperate constituencies for overseas with MNA from expat community.... It would be even more landslide victory for PTI.... Like this I think overseas vote will be diluted...

Also process for sign-up seems needlessly complicated... They probably want to discourage people from voting... I think maybe 10% of overseas will vote, being optimistic... Probably 5%...

For the Kashmiri diaspora in Pakistan, there are constituencies within Pakistani cities where you elect members to AJK assembly. That is how MQM ended up with 2 members in AJK assembly from Karachi. A precedent does exist!

 

[Gabbar Singh]

According to a presentation given by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to the apex court on Wednesday, a three-tier electronic mechanism – named the Internet Voting System for Overseas Pakistanis – will be developed at a cost of Rs150 million and within a period of four months. The ECP would provide the required funds for the project.

What are the authorities in Pakistan generally like when it comes to major IT projects? 4 months doesn't seem very long and Rs150 million (about $1.3m USD right?) is peanuts for such a huge project.

Nevertheless it's a great proposal, I know Americans living abroad have something similar - you register via a post card application (some states let you do this online) and then they email or mail you the ballot which you complete and send back via snail mail or drop off at your local embassy or consulate. A handful of states are trialling doing the whole process online. Essentially it's the registration part which is the most important - they need to make sure you're eligible to vote and you are who you say you are.

 

[waqar goraya]

This is a very good thing. But are not there good chances of maneuvering for local and international powers to manipulate the online system. Hacking for an example.

 

[Couch Cricketer]

I guess I will have to apply for Nicop if I want to vote from abroad. So far didnt see the point of paying 10k for Nicop instead of just getting a normal nic.

 

[Varun]

This will tilt the scales further to Imran Khan.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

If you're doing business as an Expat (Holding Pakistani Passport) would the NICOP apply to you?

 

[Slog]

This will tilt the scales further to Imran Khan.

nope. Overseas Pakistani will have enough numbers to influence just a handful of seats at best (or if they are given their own seats then they will have enough to have representation of a few seats)

Also keep in mind - Majority of overseas Pakistanis you see in online forums are based in the west and lean toward PTI. However they do not form the majority of Overseas Pakistanis. Majority works in the Gulf and middle east and I presume they will vote along traditional lines

 

[Slog]

For the Kashmiri diaspora in Pakistan, there are constituencies within Pakistani cities where you elect members to AJK assembly. That is how MQM ended up with 2 members in AJK assembly from Karachi. A precedent does exist!

lol really. Never knew...

i always wondered that of all places how did MQM regularly get representation in AJK

 

[Major]

THis is ridiculous.

So the people who are not living in a country, will now get to decide who should rule it..........

 

[King-Misbah]

THis is ridiculous.

So the people who are not living in a country, will now get to decide who should rule it..........

Funny how Pakistan is okay to be dictated by foreign countries who have no coonection with Pakistan because they provide aid. However, people who have roots in Pakistan and provide so much money to the economy should not have the right to vote :s

 

[Major]

Funny how Pakistan is okay to be dictated by foreign countries who have no coonection with Pakistan because they provide aid. However, people who have roots in Pakistan and provide so much money to the economy should not have the right to vote :s

lets get one thing straight.

THe money that expats send, they dont do it for the love of Pakistan. Theys end it to their family members directly. They send it because they care about their family. Economy does benefit from it, but it doesn't benefit because who the expats really cared for the country and wanted to send money to it directly.

 

[Slog]

Funny how Pakistan is okay to be dictated by foreign countries who have no coonection with Pakistan because they provide aid. However, people who have roots in Pakistan and provide so much money to the economy should not have the right to vote :s

in overall context its not even 10% of GDP

and most is sent by laborers in the gulf

 

[King-Misbah]

in overall context its not even 10% of GDP

and most is sent by laborers in the gulf

Do you think 10% of GDP is a small amount?

Those laborers are oversees Pakistanis.

 

[King-Misbah]

lets get one thing straight.

THe money that expats send, they dont do it for the love of Pakistan. Theys end it to their family members directly. They send it because they care about their family. Economy does benefit from it, but it doesn't benefit because who the expats really cared for the country and wanted to send money to it directly.

Yes so if the economy is benefiting then we are a stakeholder of the country. You want our money but you do not want us to vote. This is a bit absurd!

 

[Varun]

nope. Overseas Pakistani will have enough numbers to influence just a handful of seats at best (or if they are given their own seats then they will have enough to have representation of a few seats)

Completely expected. Nobody is expecting them to stampede through the election - but they might prove to be the 1-2% that Imran Khan needs to surpass Nawaz Sharif.

Also keep in mind - Majority of overseas Pakistanis you see in online forums are based in the west and lean toward PTI. However they do not form the majority of Overseas Pakistanis. Majority works in the Gulf and middle east and I presume they will vote along traditional lines

It will actually take some effort to register for this service and vote I'm sure, and there are no free biryanis to be found in Bahrain or Oman - so those folks you refer to might in fact shy away. The ones in the West might outnumber them in that regard.

 

[Waseem]

Yes so if the economy is benefiting then we are a stakeholder of the country. You want our money but you do not want us to vote. This is a bit absurd!

I think people are confused about dual nationals participating in elections and overseas Pakistanis being able to vote. There is a massive difference, while i totally understand why dual nationals aren't allowed to participate in elections but denying the right to vote to Pakistanis abroad is quite ridiculous.
Quite a few countries go extra mile and facilitate overseas citizens to enable them to vote.

I still think somehow this would not be possible, no major parties would benefit as much as PTI so they won't bother.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Only Pakistanis living in Pakistan should be allowed to vote

 

[Major]

Bhutto did play a major role in East Pakistan debacle.

And I am certainly more qualified to comment on that topic than most here

ok bhai, so from now on, your opinion matters more here, ours dont.

 

[Major]

Yes so if the economy is benefiting then we are a stakeholder of the country. You want our money but you do not want us to vote. This is a bit absurd!

lol, again who are yous sending money in the first place?

Your main concern is the family, not the country.

 

[Slog]

ok bhai, so from now on, your opinion matters more here, ours dont.

its not an opinion. its fact

 

[King-Misbah]

lol, again who are yous sending money in the first place?

Your main concern is the family, not the country.

No; you are failing to realise that indirectly we are helping the country by pumping money in. Additionally, we have invested so much money in Pakistan. We should have the right to vote. Not as if Pakistanis are voting for the right people anyway.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

lol really. Never knew...

i always wondered that of all places how did MQM regularly get representation in AJK

Now you know . It's bit of an anomaly and I understand why they did it decades ago at the beginning .... now these people are second or third generation Lahori or karachites... I think the diaspora should just vote in Pakistani election if they are residing in "Pakistan".

 

[waqar goraya]

lol, again who are yous sending money in the first place?

Your main concern is the family, not the country.

Family always comes ahead of country.

 

[Syed1]

lol, again who are yous sending money in the first place?

Your main concern is the family, not the country.

Spoken like someone who has no idea what they are talking about.



Suppose I send my family $100. They receive the dollars either by cash or bank transfer. Now obviously the dollars are not an acceptable currency in Pakistan, hence my family has to go to a bank/money exchange to change the dollars into Pakistani ruppees. Guess what, the dollars then eventually end up in the hands of the State Bank of Pakistan. You keep hearing about foreign exchange reserves... THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.



So yes the intention is to help the family, but in turn the country is helped as well. Ab samaj ayi?

 

[Slog]

Spoken like someone who has no idea what they are talking about.



Suppose I send my family $100. They receive the dollars either by cash or bank transfer. Now obviously the dollars are not an acceptable currency in Pakistan, hence my family has to go to a bank/money exchange to change the dollars into Pakistani ruppees. Guess what, the dollars then eventually end up in the hands of the State Bank of Pakistan. You keep hearing about foreign exchange reserves... THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.



So yes the intention is to help the family, but in turn the country is helped as well. Ab samaj ayi?

his point is that the intention is not to help the country per se

 

[Pakistanian]

Only Pakistanis living in Pakistan should be allowed to vote

Funny you say that cause Canada allows overseas Canadians to vote and so does America. Voting is a right of citizenship, it has nothing to do with a landmass.

 

[Major]

Family always comes ahead of country.

does the intentions are to help the family not the country....

someone who really gives two hoots about the country would send his tax.....which they dont have to..

point is, overseas pakistani's are not doing an ehsaan on this country by sending money to their loved ones...

 

[Saeed]

Hopefully the voting site will better than Nadra’s online site. I had to renew my overseas card and they asked me that I need to provide the information of 2 verifiers. Who even does that? Government should be able to verify the identity on their own.

 

[waqar goraya]

does the intentions are to help the family not the country....

someone who really gives two hoots about the country would send his tax.....which they dont have to..

point is, overseas pakistani's are not doing an ehsaan on this country by sending money to their loved ones...

So, people who send money back to their families, which not only helps their families but the country as well should not be allowed to vote?
The presence of their families for whom they send a lot of money in the country shows their attachment with this country. Many of them want to be near their families, especially those living in Gulf countries. But to feed their families they have to keep their distance for months and years from their relatives and the motherland. Sometimes, people don't see their newly wed wives after first month of their marriage, they are working abroad while their children are born, sometimes they can't get back for funerals of their dear ones.
Majority of the workforce in the Gulf countries belongs to the poorer segments of society and those who migrate to Europe/America/Australia mostly belong to middle class. All of this because this country can't provide for their livelihood here. So, I think they need more respect and not less for providing for their families and this country as well.

 

[Major]

So, people who send money back to their families, which not only helps their families but the country as well should not be allowed to vote?
The presence of their families for whom they send a lot of money in the country shows their attachment with this country. Many of them want to be near their families, especially those living in Gulf countries. But to feed their families they have to keep their distance for months and years from their relatives and the motherland. Sometimes, people don't see their newly wed wives after first month of their marriage, they are working abroad while their children are born, sometimes they can't get back for funerals of their dear ones.
Majority of the workforce in the Gulf countries belongs to the poorer segments of society and those who migrate to Europe/America/Australia mostly belong to middle class. All of this because this country can't provide for their livelihood here. So, I think they need more respect and not less for providing for their families and this country as well.

overseas pakistanis play the ehsaan card. which they should not as their main concern and intentions are towards the family.... The country only ends up benefiting just being place of stay really.

 

[UN talkz]

Software enabling overseas Pakistanis to vote in elections to be ready by April, NADRA tells SC

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday appreciated efforts made by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) towards the development of a voting system that can empower overseas Pakistanis with the ability to vote in general elections.

Presided over by the chief justice, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court was hearing a case combining 16 petitions on the matter that it had accepted on January 5.

The petitions, filed by civilians, had appealed that the state set up appropriate infrastructure so that overseas Pakistanis — estimated to number at least eight million — can cast their vote in Pakistan's elections.

During Monday's hearing, NADRA Chairman Usman Mobin told the court that "the matter [development of a software] has been brought under discussion with the ECP."

"Work is underway on the software's development," he said. "It can [already] be tested on an experimental basis in mock elections and will be ready by the start of April."

At this, the chief justice said: "This is a very good news given by NADRA's chairman. He has given a very reasonable 10-week deadline."

"NADRA and the ECP should sit together and give overseas Pakistanis the gift of voting ability," he added, while instructing NADRA to furnish in court a progress report during the case's next hearing in a month's time.

Chief Justice questions PTI's role

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) counsel reminded the court that a similar software was developed by former chairman NADRA in 2012 as well, at which DG NADRA responded: "That software was not operational. For this software, the overseas voters will have to visit the embassies."

Justice Nisar questioned PTI's role — or lack thereof — on the overseas vote issue as well as electoral reforms, saying: "PTI claims that it has the support of overseas Pakistanis but when elections reforms were being formulated, where was PTI?"

"The government took out a clause [from the Elections Act] so we boycotted the legislation process," senior PTI leader Arif Alvi replied.

Would Husain Haqqani also get the right to vote, CJ asks

During Monday's session, Justice Umar Ata Bandial stressed the need for empowering overseas Pakistanis with their voting rights, saying: "The hearts of overseas Pakistanis beat for Pakistan."

To this, the chief justice remarked: "There are also some overseas Pakistanis who promised us but never came back."

"Where is Husain Haqqani? Would he also get the right to vote? Why don't we send him a notice to come here and face the Memogate case," he asked.

The CJ then asked for the Memogate file from the registrar's office.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1385993/s...elections-to-be-ready-by-april-nadra-tells-sc

 

[Syed1]

RIP Nawaz Sharif

 

[DeadBall]

Sweet. One vote for PTI. Although my family aren't that political, I will encourage the ones with NIC cards to vote.

 

[hussain.r97]

This will probably end up favouring PTI, but I'm not sure if I'll end up voting for them. PTI had the appeal of being the "anti corruption" party, but now they are taking corrupt politicians on and giving them tickets. On top of that, I don't like the way Imran is playing his politics. He's resorted to childish name calling, and putting victory above the safety of democracy in the country. He comes across as reckless, and I'm not sure if we can trust someone like that to run the country.

At this stage, if I vote for PTI, it is because of the lack of options, not because I think he is some visionary leader or anything. Let's see how things pan out in the next few months.

 

[DRsohail]

RIP Nawaz Sharif

hahahha bad news for nooraas.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Any idea which month the election will be held? I will vote for PTI online if abroad or in Pakistan standing in the line.

 

[hussain.r97]

Any idea which month the election will be held? I will vote for PTI online if abroad or in Pakistan standing in the line.

15th July 2018.

 

[KingKhanWC]

15th July 2018.

Thanks. I will try to be in Pakistan because if God willing PTI win it will be a historic and great night on the streets of Pakistan.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Did this materialise? Are overseas Pakistanis getting a vote?

The US system for Citizens Abroad voting is a good one - Pakistan should use it as a template.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/voting.html

 

[PakWarrior]

Did this materialise? Are overseas Pakistanis getting a vote?

The US system for Citizens Abroad voting is a good one - Pakistan should use it as a template.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/voting.html

No it didn't materialise unfortunately. No overseas voting. This was decided about a week ago.

We all got excited and the actual software is pretty good and is ready. But they felt it was still open to manipulation. A real shame.

 

[KingKhanWC]

No it didn't materialise unfortunately. No overseas voting. This was decided about a week ago.

We all got excited and the actual software is pretty good and is ready. But they felt it was still open to manipulation. A real shame.

This is a shame as I would have voted but I guess if it means there is a risk of to the election it's the right call.

 

[srh]

what are the requirements for overseas Pakistanis to be considered eligible for vote?

 

[PakWarrior]

what are the requirements for overseas Pakistanis to be considered eligible for vote?

You need a Shanaakti card (identity card). This will give you an identity number.

If you are British or US born etc your voting constituency is that of your Pakistani born Father's constituency address.

 

[moghul]

If that happened, 98.3 % Pakistani living in USA, including my wife and I would be voting for Imran Khan.

 

[DeadBall]

Was really looking forward to vote, especially since I have a valid NICOP now (never really mattered before apart from renewing the passport).

 

[moghul]

That would create a lots of political activities here in USA and I'm sure in UK and Middle East too.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PTI Govt will take measures to ensure Overseas Pakistanis can exercise their right to vote even fm outside Pakistan.<br><br>Your role is pivotal in formation of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NayaPakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NayaPakistan</a><br><br>Multiple strategies would be put in place to facilitate and protect your financial investment in Pakistan.✌&#55356;&#57339;</p>— Zartaj Gul Wazir (@zartajgulwazir) <a href="https://twitter.com/zartajgulwazir/status/1023591725925912576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>