ISLAMABAD: To make the polls credible, the election authorities have sought absolute control over the entire administrative machinery once the schedule for next general elections is announced.
Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Secretary Ishtiak Ahmed Khan on Thursday told a Senate panel that to make the election fair and free, it is important that the election authorities are given powers to take action against any official found manipulating the process in any manner.
“The Commission should have powers not only to make transfers of high officials like chief secretaries, inspector general police and others but also should be empowered to take direct action against anyone found involved in manipulating the election process”, Khan told Senate’s special committee on election matters.
Citing India as an example, Khan said election authorities there not only enjoy such powers but have been using them to ensure transparency in the election process.
Currently, the ECP can only put a bar on transfers and posting of government officials once the election schedule is announced but the execution of its orders rests with the executive authorities.
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@Kamran Naqvi: Agreed, all officials appointed on the premise of personal relations/friendship should be dismissed/transferred immediately to ensure free and fair elections. Also agree that sweeping powers should be given to the ECP although the government is not likely to conceed this.
Look who is talking what?? Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan happens to be the class mate of dismissed PM Yousaf Raza Gillani (MA Journalism, Uni of Punjab) and was appointed by Gillani, when he was on a spree of giving lucrative jobs to friends & family (Zain Sukhera, Rao Shakeel, etc etc).
Ishtiaq Khan gave a free hand to his mentor to run election campaigns, with state resources, during all bye-elections until his conviction in contempt of court.
Fairness demands that an impartial person should be appointed as Secretary.
A step in the right direction albeit a painful one for the sitting Government to concede. This election is not only a test of the political acumen of the People of Pakistan it is a Litmus test for the illustrious Mr. fakhar Ud din Ibrahim and the ECP. It shall decide if Pakistan shall remain Viable or Sink. Lets hope for the best! Good Luck Pakistan.