Conference: ‘Electoral reforms needed to curb authoritarian tendencies’

LAHORE: Representatives of political parties have called on the government to introduce extensive electoral reforms to ensure a stronger democracy and empower local governments.

Participants of a conference organised by the Centre for Peace and Development Initiative on Wednesday also urged political parties to unite against corruption. They were also urged to ensure transparent polling in the 2018 general elections. The conference was titled District Convention on Electoral Reforms.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Chaudhry Sarwar, Jamaat-i-Islami’s Fareed Paracha, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Raheela Khadim Hussain and Pakistan Muslim League Quaid’s (PML-Q) Mian Munir attended the conference.

Addressing the participants, Sarwar said, “The PML-N speaks for democracy, but they cannot curb their authoritarian tendencies.”

“There were large-scale rigging and procedural irregularities in the local government elections last year but the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) did not take any action.”

Sarwar said the PTI had called on the ECP to intervene several times. “It is not possible to establish a genuine democracy in the country without comprehensive electoral reforms that allow free and fair elections,” he said.

Sarwar said that the government was reluctant to hande over powers to local government bodies.

Jamaat-i-Islami’s Fareed Paracha also spoke in favour of electoral reforms. He said reforms were necessary to restore people’s faith in democracy.

Commenting on local government elections, he said the last round of elections had still not been held despite criticism for the delay.

“Many people are deprived of basic health and education facilities due to defunct local governments,” he said.

PML-N’s Raheela Khadim also stressed on the need for effective electoral reforms “These reforms should address any ambiguities in the electoral process so that transparent elections can be ensured,” she said.

PML-Q’s Mian Munir said the PML-N did want to empower local bodies. “People will remain deprived of their electoral rights without reforms” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2016.