ISLAMABAD:
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday allowed former president Pervez Musharraf’s party, All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), to take part in the next general elections.
In its meeting, ECP rejected objections of two parties that had challenged the registration of Musharraf’s party with the name of APML.
An official of the ECP told The Express Tribune that the commission held the objections baseless as both the parties were only on paper and had no real existence.
The official said that under the political parties act of 2002, the ECP does not register any party, but only analyses the documents of the parties, and if they are complete, election symbols are allotted and the party is allowed to take part in polls.
After quitting power Musharraf had made a party in 2009. Its application with the ECP lingered on since the commission was not complete.
The meeting also decided to remove symbols that look alike and create confusion for the voters when published on the ballot paper. “Symbols like sparrow and parrot, stick and arrow, box and briefcase etcetera create confusions,” the ECP official said.
He said the commission also recommended that symbols that can be considered derogatory be removed. The official said the commission has directed its election branch to make a list of all such symbols and include new symbols such as a computer and mobile phone in the list as some of the traditional symbols are not recognisable to the younger generation.
The commission has summoned 29 lawmakers who were elected in the by-polls held after the passing of the 18th constitutional amendment to appear on August 13 and give their point of view on a case pending with the Supreme Court on the validity of the elections.
Attorney General of Pakistan has also been called on the same day.
The SC had questioned the validity of election of these lawmakers, because the commission’s composition was not in conformity with the 18th amendment and the government had not appointed its four members. Nine MNAs, 16 MPAs and three Senators were elected during this period.
The government had announced to bring a 19th amendment to give a legal cover to the election of these members, but the idea did not materialise due to increasing political polarisation in the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 20th, 2011.
COMMENTS (24)
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congrats to all honest peace loving ppl of pakistan who seek to have a better future who have no political affiliation with any party for monetary gains.. musharraf is a class apart!
inshallah geeo mushraf
Dont split the vote , or else PMLN,PPP will stay in power, The only alternative is PTI
We need Mr Pervaiz Musharaf just he can do somthing 4 our backward country and backward province Balochistan. Live Long Ex.Chief of Pakistan Army
we need Mr..musharaf,just look at the positive history of his leadership, during his time in office.the best national savior of the nation.most uneducated people in my nation do not understand the true nature of international policies, specially the very serious and dangerous situation of my nation being bombed back to stone age by bush in collaboration with isreal and the Freemasons. most people in pakistan don't know the existence of Freemasons and the role and control these organisation play in the global arena. Mr.musharaf u turned and achieved aid and security. we need america they have stood by us at times of need,just look back to 1971 they even came to our aid in east pakistan in the bay of bangal with ships,unfortunately our army had already surrendered a day earlier i could go on and on,but broadly since pakistan came into existence america has been on our side,we owe olot to america and china off course. alright alots of people may consider to be a bully,then ant any powerfull landlords with in pakistan worst then unimaginable bully and worst.
@Mirza Currently Musharraf is the only leader who is serving as Pakistan’s ambassador. While the looters continue their loot business, with support from a few people such as you. But eventually sanity will prevail, political cases against him cannot stop his return. From here on Musharraf has nothing to lose, and I guarantee you that the looters will soon start packing up.
@Mirza:
so what do u suggest.. do u think the current government or the sharif brothers can serve this country better.. think again while the sharif brother tried they failed and im yet to witness the current government even try.. while the educated class can make a more educated decision for the common man all that matters is that basic necessities of life were cheaper and these was more security of life when musharraf was in power... all be it a very superficial manner to judge a politician.. i suppose it goes to show how deprived we all are........id choose musharraf any day simply because there is no one better at the moment!.. will he come back.. i ahvnt the faintest idea.. though im sure hes not foolish enough to make a mockery of himself to always vouch to come back and then decide not to...do i wish he will come back.. damn right i do!
Its good that he is coming back to Pakistan. InshaAllah now this traitor will meet his fate. He has ruined the country.
Musharaf zindabad.
" announced that he would return to Pakistan in 2012, in order to participate in the 2013 elections."
It is ironic and hypocritical that on one hand election commission talks against the candidates having dual nationality on the other it does not even require residency in this case! Hypocrisy is Mush would leave Pakistan while not a dictator and only come back for elections! In other words he does not believe in struggle for Pakistani poor unless there is real chance for him. Having said that, there is not an iota of truth that he would even dare enter Pakistan. His fair weather friends are not going to be there with his uniform gone. Most of the Pakistanis do want him to come back but he is continuing to abscond. What is he afraid of if he really wants to serve Pakistani people now?
@nasir khan: Dear you will see he will come and take part in the election and wine more seat in the legislative assembly.
PPP would support him,army would be behind him he is not a fugitive he gone abroad with full protocol.
I am looking around but find no such leader like him, After registration party would come into action and all the figures run away from the political arena ,
gone were the days when political parties used to deceived the people.
Keeping all the political scenario, I come to the conclusion that ALL PAKISTAN MUSLIM LEAGUE would appeared as winner party in the election expected to held in 2013.
all hail Musharraf!!!... i wish imran khan joins hands with APML!!
Congratulations to all moderate and progressive Pakistanis. This is our last chance. Musharraf ...all the way !!!
congrats to all honest peace loving ppl of pakistan who seek to have a better future who have no political affiliation with any party for monetary gains.. musharraf is a class apart!
Never return for a simple reason. NO one can guarantee his security.
Remember Benazir?
@nasir khan:
He will return and Inshallah lead the nation once more!
Its like a old rice in banana leaf.
At last some light at end of the tunnel
i bet musharaf will never return to pakistan. he is a coward
This is the best news that I had in last three years. Congratulations to all Pakistan lovers. Ameen.
jiyee Musharraf
LOV U MUSHARRAF WE NEED U BACK JIYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE MUSHARRAF