Senate election and provincial autonomy

Letter March 01, 2015
Parties are requested to nominate candidates from among inhabitants of the provinces, are really aware of the problems

MANORA: The 1973 Constitution guarantees the equal representation of the provinces in the Senate, with each province being promised 23 seats, excluding the federal capital and Fata. On the other hand, members of the National Assembly are elected by the people of Pakistan and the election process is called a direct election. The Senate, on the other hand, is a permanent legislative body and senators are elected for a term of six years. However, one-third of all senators retire after every three years. Seats are filled through election by the respective electoral colleges through a secret ballot. This has been the agreed upon method of electing senators, and is being adhered to for decades.

A person who is at least or above 30 years of age can qualify for the election of the Senate and he should be registered as a voter in the province from where he wants to take part in the election and also meet other qualifications prescribed under Articles 62 and Article 63 of the Constitution. The upcoming Senate election is going to be held on March 5, with all major parties of Pakistan having nominated their candidates to the position of senators. In Sindh, the PPP nominated seven candidates to represent the province in the upper house of Parliament. Out of these seven, two members, namely Farooq H Naek and Rehman Malik, belong to Punjab. Other parties from Sindh have also nominated candidates who do not belong to the province.

Many parties are trying to stop horse-trading in the Senate election. These same parties are strongly committed to provincial autonomy, which was allowed through the much-celebrated passage of the Eighteenth Amendment. Most of the nominated candidates have little knowledge of the grassroots provincial problems. Their being in power only contradicts the spirit of the Eighteenth Amendment.

Parties are requested to nominate their candidates from among the inhabitants of the provinces who are really aware of the problems of their localities. Not doing so is unconstitutional. Such negligence will go on to endanger the future of Pakistan. The Supreme Court should also come into action, and should be ready to take suo-motu notice of nominees who will make poor provincial leaders.

Aftab Hussain Rajper

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2015.

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