PML-N accuses govt of imposing presidential system

Marriyum says govt will have powers to manipulate election results with proposed electoral reforms

LAHORE:

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb has claimed that the PTI-led government was trying to introduce a presidential form of government in the country through its proposed electoral reforms.

In a statement on Sunday, the PML-N leader said electoral reforms bill, which was passed by the National Assembly on Thursday, is against the Constitution and aimed at curtailing the powers of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

“Prime Minister Imran Khan is trying to impose presidential system on the country by abolishing the federal parliamentary system of democracy,” the statement quoted her as saying.

Marriyum said the elections amendments violate the political and ideological guidelines of the founder of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the basic structure and concept of the Constitution.

The former information minister said PM Imran does not want 220 million people to exercise their constitutional right of “one person one vote system but wishes to become the owner of the 'Electoral College' of certain people in black and white”.

“This is not a law but a national plan of electoral fraud. The PTI government which is a product of nationwide fraud through RTS manipulation, wants to get rid of the public vote because they know after destroying the lives of the nation and the national economy they can never get in power through voting in a free and fair election,” she added.

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She claimed that after the amendments, the government will have the powers of ECP to “hold elections and manipulate the results”.

Marriyum said these amendments are aimed at curbing public awareness, ensuring public distrust on their constitutional and judicial rights and imposes an authoritarian rule.

“[PM] Imran is seeking to change the electoral laws to impose a permanent system of ‘selection' instead of elections in the country.”

The PML-N leader said the amendments are tantamount to hijacking the entire ECP and its powers.

The “black amendments” will strip the ECP of its powers to annul elections, conduct inquiries, delimit constituencies, and compile electoral rolls, she explained.

The PML-N leader said even delimitations were no longer based on population but on the will of the “selected”.