Pakistan, India exchange views on electoral process and reforms

Pakistan and India on Tuesday exchanged views on electoral process and reforms and decided to have close interaction between the Election Commissions of the two sides. Chief Election Commissioner, Justice Irshad Hassan Khan (Retd) was given comprehensive briefing by his Indian counterpart T. S. Krishna Murthy about electoral reforms introduced by the Election Commission of India.
CEC of Pakistan, who is also former chief justice of Pakistan, is here on a weeklong goodwill visit to India on the invitation of Indian Chief Election Commissioner.
The visiting dignitary was earlier received and warmly welcomed by the officials of the Election Commission and Pakistan High Commission on his arrival on Monday at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
During his stay, the Chief Election Commissioner will also meet the Chief Justice of India R. C. Lahoti and former chief election commissioner and sitting Member Parliament, M. S. Gill.
Talking to APP special correspondent after his meeting with Indian Chief Election Commissioner, Justice Irshad Hassan Khan (Retd) said he witnessed the process of electronic voting system, practised by India in the electoral process.
Pakistan's CEC discussed various aspects of the electoral process with his counterpart and greatly appreciated the electoral reforms and use of electronic voting machines.
Both sides Chief Election Commissioner shared their experiences in electoral field and decided to ensure close interaction and co-operation between the election commissions of the two countries.
This is the first visit of Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan to India. The CEC explained to his counterpart the salient features of the electoral process in Pakistan, whose credibility and transparency, he added was endorsed by the political parties as well as international observers.
The commission is updating the voters lists to ensure it error-free for the local bodies elections, scheduled to be held next year, Irshad Hassan said.
Error-free electoral rolls, he viewed was the foremost requirement of fair elections, which he added is the real essence of the democratic fabric in any country. During the meeting, Justice Irshad Hassan Khan (Retd) reiterated his invitation already extended to the Chief Election Commissioner of India to visit Pakistan.