PESHAWAR: Federal Information Minister Senator Shibli Faraz on Monday asked the Election Commission of Pakistan to use technology in the upcoming Senate polls in light of the Supreme Court decision to ensure transparency in the elections to the upper house of the parliament.

Addressing a press conference at the Civil Secretariat here, Mr Faraz termed the SC decision historic. He said apparently the elections would be held under Article 226 of the Constitution; however, at the same time SC judges also pointed out that the ECP should take all steps to ensure transparency in polls, including use of technology, for the purpose.

He said judges also said the secrecy of the ballot was not permanent. He said now they were requesting ECP to either use bar codes or serial numbers on the ballot papers in light of the SC observations.

He said senators elected through unfair means were compromised and could legislate against their personal and business interests.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2021