What happened: The Elections (Amendment) Bill 2021 was passed by a joint sitting of Parliament on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government receiving 221 votes against 203. The bill gives overseas Pakistanis voting rights and authorizes electronic voting machines (EVMs) to be used in general elections in the future. The bill: The bill, introduced by Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan, states that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), with the technical assistance of NADRA and any other authority or agency, will enable overseas Pakistanis to exercise their right to vote during general elections in a prescribed manner, subject to secrecy and security. “Special congrats to all overseas Pakistanis who despite strong opposition by the PDM parties today got the right to vote thru [through] an internet based voting system,” Asad wrote on his official Twitter handle. 
More: He claimed that his party’s protracted fight for the right to vote for abroad Pakistanis, which spanned several years, had finally yielded results today in Parliament. The minister said today in the joint session that the PTI administration is moving forward with a new census that will be based on best international practices and will use the newest technology, expressing confidence that the census results will be acceptable to all.