ECP to include overseas Pakistanis’ votes in final by-poll count

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to include overseas’ Pakistanis voters in the final vote count for the October 14 by-election.

Details of votes cast on the ECP’s i-voting website were sent to the returning officers, who will add them to the final count.

Earlier Geo News cited sources as saying that the officials of National Database and Registration Authority were to meet the chief election commissioner to decide on the matter.

The ECP officials said there was a positive response on i-voting from overseas Pakistanis and that NADRA officials would give them a briefing.

Data provided by ECP shows that 7,364 overseas Pakistanis were registered for i-voting. Out of the count, 6,233 cast their ballots, making the turnout to over 83.5%.

From the registered overseas Pakistanis, 5117 voted on the National Assembly seats, while 1,116 cast their ballots for provincial assembly constituencies, the officials further said.

The margin of victory is very low in one National Assembly, three Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and two Punjab Assembly seats and the results can change after the votes of overseas Pakistanis are included.