The government on Nov 17th (today) achieved a crucial victory in the parliament’s joint session as Senate pass the Electoral Reform Bill 2021 granting voting rights to overseas Pakistanis and the use of electronic voting machines EVMS.
The opposition, in protest, tore copies of the day’s agenda and walked out of the session in protest. The bill that Senate pass on the use of EVMs was earlier deferred at the request of Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan but was later put up for a vote.
Following the protest, leaders of opposition parties gathered in the chambers of Shehbaz Sharif to ponder over a future course of action.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and National Assembly Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif, among other political bigwigs arrived earlier for today’s session.
The joint session was supposed to take place on Nov 11 but was cancelled by the government much to the opposition’s chagrin after its allies expressed reservations. However, after taking all allies on board, President Arif Alvi summoned the session today at noon.
PTI celebrates their win today.
Senator Shehzad Waseem Speaking on electoral reforms bill 2021 and the use of Electronic Voting Machines in next election:
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also spoke today in the joint parliment session:
Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan also talks about why opposition parties are such against Electronic Voting Machines and Voting Rights to the Overseas Pakistan:
