Election Commission of Pakistan on Monday allowed overseas Pakistanis to vote in the upcoming by polls, which will be held on October 14 across the country.
This was decided in a meeting chaired by secretary ECP, Babar Yakoob to review arrangements for the vote cast of overseas Pakistanis.
The meeting was attended by the higher officials of NADRA and ECP.
Earlier on August 17, ECP announced that By-Polls on eleven national and 19 provincial assembly seats will be held countrywide on October 14.
According to the schedule issued by the electoral body, the returning officers of the concerned constituencies will publish public notices in this regard on August 27.
Nomination papers for the by-elections can be submitted from August 28 to 30. An initial list of the candidates will be published on August 31.
Review of the nomination papers filed with the ECP will be conducted until September 4.
Another list of candidates will be published on September 14 following the review. Candidates will be able to withdraw their nominations till September 15.
The final list of the candidates will be released on September 16, complete with their respective electoral symbols.
By-elections are set to take place on 11 National Assembly (NA) and 19 provincial assembly seats lying vacant.
Among the seats where by-elections are to take place are NA-35, NA-53, NA-60, NA-63, NA-65, NA-69, NA-103, NA-124, NA-131 and NA-243.
The Apex Court (SC) allowed overseas Pakistanis to vote in the by-election.
A three-member full bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar conducted hearing over the petitions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and others in SC Lahore Registry.
During the hearing, CJP directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure foolproof arrangements with the assistance of Nadra.
The chief justice has ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to make arrangements with the association of the NADRA to facilitate the overseas citizens to cast their vote through the internet.
“Many congratulations to overseas Pakistanis today,” said CJP Nisar, saying that it would be the first time expat citizens will be casting their votes in local election.
If the pilot project of voting in the by-polls ends successfully, the court would allow overseas Pakistan to use their right to vote in genral elections.
“If any conflict erupts during the by-polls due to the internet voting then separate the results of i-voting,” the top judge ruled, adding that the results, later, be presented in the parliament.