ISLAMABAD: Amid protests from the opposition benches, the joint session of Parliament adopted three significant laws on Wednesday, including the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), the Second Election Amendment Bill 2021, and the Kulbhushan Jadhav bill, which gives him the right to appeal.
According to the information gathered, the government demonstrated its majority when the joint house passed a bill requiring the use of electronic voting machines in the next general election by a vote of 221 to 203.
A few minutes later, the combined session adopted a few more laws. Pakistanis residing in foreign countries would be able to vote in elections using the I-Voting technology under the new legislation.
During the voting, at least 16 members of Parliament (MPs) from opposing parties were missing. Naved Qamar, Akhtar Mengal, Ali Wazir, and Yousaf Talpur were among the opposition MPs who were not present.
The joint session of Congress passed a measure to implement the International Court of Justice’s decision in the case of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav. In addition, two Muslim family laws were approved.
As a result, the opposition tore up copies of the agenda and protested by walking out of the meeting. Lawmakers also crowded near the Treasury benches, yelling anti-Imran Khan and anti-government chants.
The law on the use of electronic voting machines had previously been delayed at the request of Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan, but it was subsequently reintroduced and put to a vote.
Later in the session, opposition members staged a walkout, saying that the vote count was skewed. They tore up copies of the agenda as well.