July 5, 2021 ISLAMABAD: The diametrically opposed stands of the government and the opposition parties on at least five amendments to the Elections Act, passed by the National Assembly, are the key sticking points that have the potential to rock their impending dialogue intended to hammer out a consensus on the electoral reforms package. The objections publicly aired by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on 45 out of 72 amendments inserted in the Elections Act, 2017 are distinct from this stumbling block. The government and the opposition have taken rigid stances on the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), voting rights to overseas Pakistanis, the disqualification cut-off date, discounting the relevant constitutional provisions, open ballot in the Senate elections in place of secret vote, transferring the ECP roles in various aspects to the National Database & Registration Authority (Nadra) etc.