Political rivals meet CEC to drive their point home

Fawad says technology needed for voting available; Abbasi says Raja hinted at no change in election procedure

ISLAMABAD:

A delegation of the ruling PTI and another of the opposition PML-N on Monday called on the chief election commissioner (CEC) separately and discussed the Senate election scheduled for March 3 (Wednesday).

The federal government team, including Shafqat Mahmood, Babar Awan and Fawad Chaudhry, conversed over the transparency in the polls, while the PML-N on the procedure.

Talking to media persons outside the ECP office, Education Minister Mahmood said, “We have requested the CEC [Sikanadar Sultan Raja] to work out a method to identify the votes as the opposition wants to make the process controversial.”

However, he said the PTI feels that the decision of the Supreme Court “supports our position”.

“The PTI has always been of the view that corruption should be eradicated in elections,” he said. “In our opinion, the best way is to have a ballot paper with a bar code or something to let the ECP know who has voted for whom.”

Adviser to the PM on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said that three senators who were elected without a vote were issued notices. “The third, fifth and sixth paragraphs of the Supreme Court decision are important.

“Imran Khan's government is the first government to go to the Supreme Court for transparent elections.”

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said that the decision of the Supreme Court should be implemented.

“Votes will remain a secret for the party, but not a secret for the Election Commission. If you can print currency notes, printing 1,500 votes is not a problem.”

The Supreme Court has ruled that the vote will be identifiable, he said, adding that the final decision rests with the Election Commission.

Fawad Chaudhry added that under the Constitution all institutions are bound to cooperate with the Election Commission. “The Election Commission has to decide … I have told the CEC that the technology needed is available.”

The Supreme Court on Monday, in its opinion on the presidential reference, recommended using latest technology in the Senate election process.

Separately, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told the media persons that the CEC has informed him that change in the election procedure was not possible, however, Raja said that the final decision would be taken after consultations.

“The Supreme Court, as in the past, has rejected the presidential reference for holding open ballot in the Senate elections.

“The ordinance issued by the government is no longer valid. Only parliament has the right to amend the Constitution,” Abbasi, who is also the PML-N senior vice president, said, adding that they had placed all requests before the Election Commission.

Taking a shot at the ruling PTI, the PML-N senior vice president said, “It is hoped that the president will forward the references carefully in the future.

“Before, the former presidents forwarded the reference remaining neutral.”

He said when a vote is cast, it becomes the property of the Election Commission. “The PML-N has not given or taken money since it is contesting the Senate elections. Those who took the money and gave it, have a video.”

Abbasi was referring to a video, which recently emerged showing lawmakers allegedly receiving large sums of money in exchange for their votes ahead of the 2018 Senate polling.