PDM stance against open ballot illogical: Shibli

Federal Minister for Information Shibli Faraz has said democracy derives its strength from free, fair and transparent elections and the opposition’s stance against open ballot in the upcoming Senate election is illogical and beyond comprehension.

“The opposition is still working against electoral reforms that aim to eliminate chances of corruption, sale and purchase of votes and horse-trading,” Shibli said on Saturday.

The information minister was talking to the media after submitting his nomination papers for the Senate election at the Election Commission of Pakistan’s provincial office.

According to Shibli, the PTI led federal government has tried to introduce open ballot at the Senate polls “despite having power, influence and resources”. “However, the response of opposition towards the key legislation is pathetic,” he said.

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) – an 11-party opposition alliance – has been opposing a slew of measures taken by the PTI led federal government to introduce the open ballot at the Senate polls that are scheduled for March 3.

Defending the government’s measures that include promulgation of an ordinance to change the mode of voting at the Senate elections, Shibli said the government is trying to devise an inclusive mechanism so that no one could dare to question the credibility and impartiality of election results in future.

“Free, fair and transparent elections help strengthen democracy and democratic institutions and the government’s electoral reforms will help ensure credibility, impartiality and transparency of elections including the Senate polls,” he said.

Shibili said instead of supporting the government’s efforts to introduce the electoral reforms, the opposition is creating hurdles by opposing open balloting at the Senate election, “which is tantamount to encouraging horse-trading and corruption”.

He said the opposition parties including the PPP and the PML-N – which respectively ruled from 2008 to 2013 and 2013 to 2018 – have completely failed to prepare any mechanism for electoral reforms opening room for horse-trading, corruption and sale and purchase of votes at Senate elections.

“I ask how a political party having representation of few members in the parliament or a provincial assembly will secure a seat in the Senate election,” he said, adding that opposition did not take lessons from the past and would try to buy political loyalties in a bid to get representation in the upper house.

He said every patriotic Pakistani would certainly like his children to follow in the footsteps of Prime Minister Imran Khan, who, according to Shibli, is the only leader having the highest level of honesty, integrity and dedication to take the country to new heights of prosperity.

Shibli said the government’s electoral reforms would open doors of elections for people from the middle class to actively participate in the decision-making process and the country’s economic development.

To a question, he said PTI lawmakers would extend all out support to candidates who are given the party tickets by the leadership.

Shibli claimed that the PTI would emerge as the single largest political party in the upper house after which it would be in a strong position to implement the party's manifesto and make electoral reforms.

To another question, he said the PTI strongly believes in serving the masses and has awarded tickets on merit keeping in mind the integrity, loyalty, commitment and services of the candidates.

“Any political worker or leader that supports the PTI’s agenda, manifesto and its anti-corruption efforts will be respected and considered an invaluable asset,” he said.

The minister highly appreciated the K-P government for launching universal health coverage for the entire pollution of the province through Sehat Plus Card Programme and termed it a milestone in provision of free healthcare services to millions of people.