SUKKUR: One of the features of a true democracy is free and fair elections, where people are allowed to vote without any fear, and elect the representatives of the constituencies where they reside. Unfortunately, the Election Commission of Pakistan has failed to facilitate the citizens in performing this task because it is not a truly independent body that is free from financial and administrative control of the executive.
The most blatant violations are occurring in Karachi, the country’s financial centre. Delimitation of constituencies have been done with the sole aim to dilute voter strength of residents whose political affiliations do not please those who enjoy power in this coalition government and lay claim to be a major stakeholders of this city.
Voters living in the Clifton Cantonment Board area, PECHS, Karachi Development Authority, Mohammad Ali Society, etc. have had their names on the voters’ list in constituencies within Karachi, although they do not reside in the city on a permanent basis, nor have they lived here in the past decade. It is time that the residents of Karachi are allowed to vote in the constituencies where they reside, so that their constitutional rights are not violated, nor usurped by those who resort to the politics of intimidation and threat. The residents of Karachi need to elect representatives of their choice and this form of pre-poll rigging must cease immediately.
Aneela Chandio
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2012.
