‘Electoral reforms must for transparency’

Governor claims opposition refusing to have dialogue with govt in this regard

LAHORE:

Electoral reforms have become necessary for transparent elections, stated Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar. “It will not only help in boosting the morale of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) but also strengthen the democracy in the country.”

He expressed these views while speaking to the media and different delegations at Governor’s House on Sunday. He underscored that the government was working with commitment in order to make the next elections transparent. Electronic voting machines will help in conducting fair and transparent polls and prompt election results, he maintained.

Read FAFEN warns against electoral reforms sans consensus

He said strengthening institutions was the top priority of the government for which it is taking practical steps. “From the first day, the government is inviting all the political parties to sit together in order to make electoral reforms but the opposition is refusing instead of having a discussion with the government.”

The opposition has become an obstacle in the way of free and fair elections, he argued.

Still, there is time to introduce the electoral reforms, he reiterated. “The opposition should negotiate with the government to make the next elections transparent.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2021.