The introduction of EVMs is seen as a potential solution to address issues such as voter fraud, ballot tampering, inefficiencies in the manual voting process, and post-polling rigging by changing the results while rejecting votes.

Muhammad Saqlain kanjan 


The President of Pakistan, Mr. Arif Ali Sadi, said, "Electronic voting machines (EVMs) could have prevented the poll crisis." After the 2018 election, the PTI government was very keen to introduce the use of voting machines in Pakistan. More than 50 meetings were held, but all went in vain after intense opposition by other political parties. After recent polls in February 2024, the mandate of the people was stolen in post-poll rigging. Reconsideration of electronic voting machines is again being debated amongst political experts.


Caretaker Prime Minister Awar ul Haq Kakar also said today in the press that the use of EVMs in elections should be reconsidered by the upcoming government to build the trust of the people in the electoral system of Pakistan.

The EVMs were first used in 1982 in the by-election in the Indian state of Kerala for a limited number of polling stations. Now, EVMs are used in various countries around the world. Some of the countries where electronic voting machines have been used include India, Brazil, the United States, Estonia, Venezuela, and others. These are just a few examples, and the use of electronic voting machines varies greatly around the world, with some countries adopting them more extensively than others. The adoption of electronic voting technology is often subject to ongoing debate and scrutiny regarding issues such as security, transparency, confidentiality, and voter confidence.


Electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been a topic of discussion in Pakistan for several years as the country explores ways to modernise its electoral process. The introduction of EVMs is seen as a potential solution to address issues such as voter fraud, ballot tampering, inefficiencies in the manual voting process, and post-polling rigging by changing the results while rejecting votes. In recent years, there have been various proposals to test electronic voting technology in Pakistan. However, the implementation of EVMs on a large scale has faced challenges and controversies, including concerns about security, transparency, and confidentiality. Despite efforts to introduce EVMs, there has been resistance from some political parties and stakeholders who raise concerns about the potential for manipulation and fraud in electronic voting systems. They have concerns about logistical challenges related to infrastructure, training, and cost that need to be addressed before EVMs can be fully adopted nationwide.


There is a need for massive electoral reforms in Pakistan. Pakistani people are fed up with this system. Because the people's mandate is stolen in every election. The favourite leader of the ruling circles wins by hook and crook. An ordinary person participates in the decision-making of the state by voting. If even that right is taken away, the relationship between the common people and the state can be broken.

EVMs have been designed to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the voting process, but they are not immune to rigging or manipulation. While EVMs can provide certain security features and safeguards, they also have vulnerabilities that need to be addressed to ensure the integrity of elections.


Despite some logistical issues, EVMs can provide certain advantages in terms of efficiency and transparency. Ensuring the integrity of elections requires a multi-faceted approach that includes not only secure technology but also robust procedural safeguards, accuracy, and public oversight. It is essential to remain vigilant against emerging threats and continuously improve electoral systems to address evolving challenges.

Electronic voting machines should be designed to be tamper-resistant, auditable, and transparent. Secure transmission and storage access controls and authentication, regular security updates and independent testing and certification should be introduced to prevent the looming threats of hacking, electoral fraud, and foreign intervention.


This is the right time to modernise the electoral system. People are losing trust in the electoral process because the stealing of their mandate is undigested. Mistrust of the people will erode the evolving democratic process in the country. This is the time to move on to real democracy.