Thread by @salmanshabbir

1/ The system and election rules are heavily stacked against #OverseasPakistanis every step of the way. No surprise the turnout of the Pilot Voting in Oct 2018 Pilot was less than 1%. Turn out in General Election 2023 won't be much better. Here is why: 🧵
#OverseasVoteMatters

2/ First, let us understand the voting process from this ECP video for #OverseasPakistanis



#OverseasVoteMatters

3/ Many #OverseasPakistanis don't qualify for the strict identification requirements for voting set by election rules. These are above and beyond what Pakistanis are required under Election act 2017 section 26-2
Problem and Sol covered well here.

https://twitter.com/MaddyWithKhan/status/1402705301183270917?s=20

4/ Some Kafeels in GCC countries keep #OverseasPakistanis passports.
Many in the west travel on their foreign passports and don't renew their Pakistani Passports. Some don't have a machine-readable passport. Solution: Remove this extra-legal requirement #OverseasVoteMatters

5/ Email: Easy and Obvious Requirement? I expect millions of laborers in GCC countries cannot fulfill this requirement. Solution: Offer options for walk-in online voting in embassies. Due to space constraints, extend the voting window to 2 weeks because #OverseasVoteMatters

6/ Many #OverseasPakistanis may not know where their vote is registered and there is no easy way to find out. Solution: Extend SMS 8300 Service to #OverseasPakistani through the internet because #OverseasVoteMatters

7/ Resident Pakistani can register their vote throughout the year. #OverseasPakistanis don't have that option. The portal opens only for a short period before the election as per ECP discretion. Solution: Keep online registration open 24/7/365 because #OverseasVoteMatters

8/ If #OverseasPakistanis has an issue with the system and their ID cards, they don't have interactive, easy-to-use support available. Solution: Set up a world-class support ecosystem because #OverseasVoteMatters

9/ Election Act 2017 requires #OverseasPakistanis to be abroad 6 months+ to qualify for voting from. If someone goes overseas to study and there is an election after 4 months we deprive them of their right to vote? Solution: Change this clause because #OverseasVoteMatters

10/ Voting time is ~08:00 am to 05:00 pm Pakistani time. For a #OverseasPakistanis in Chicago, this would be 10 pm in night to 07:00 in morning likely on a working day. #OverseasPakistanis are disadvantaged due to this. Solution: Extend time to 1 week because #OverseasVoteMatters

11/ Have I missed anything? I have published a paper on this topic. Pls share your feedback.
documentcloud.adobe.com/link/review?ur…

#OverseasVoteMatters
#OverseasPakistanis

12/ Source of 0.9% #OverseasPakistani Turnout
ecp.gov.pk/documents/ivot…
#OverseasVoteMatters