Can Overseas Pakistanis vote in Elections 2013?

While the Supreme Court of Pakistan is urging for it, and NADRA claims they have the system in place for it, the Election Commission of Pakistan is reluctant to allow overseas Pakistanis the right of vote in upcoming elections.

According to a statement by Foreign Office, seven countries have agreed to allow polling for Pakistani expats.

According to APP, Foreign Office spokesman, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary while responding to a question at the weekly news briefing said the Election Commission had short-listed nine countries where polling could be held. The spokesman said concurrence from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Australia, Canada and United Kingdom has been received while a response from the United States and the United Arab Emirates is awaited.

He said the matter of voting for overseas Pakistanis is under consideration in the Supreme Court and once a consensus decision is taken, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its concerned missions abroad would extend all possible facilities for the conduct of polling for them.

Earlier, Election Commission has ruled out any possibility for overseas Pakistanis to vote in upcoming Elections, saying that proper mechanism and legislation were essential prerequisites.

“Overseas Pakistanis are an asset for the country and denying them the right to vote is a grave injustice”