Nothing to do with no-trust move: ECP

Qureshi demands commission should look into 'horse-trading’

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday said it was authorised to decide on “horse-trading” only after receiving a declaration about such lawmakers from the National Assembly speaker and distanced itself from the prime minister's election and a no-trust motion filed against him.

The ECP's statement came after Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi claimed that the opposition was “blatantly” conceding about buying the loyalties of lawmakers for its no-trust motion against the government and demanded that the commission should look into the matter.

The commission said it had been noted that the government functionaries were criticising it on different forums for not taking "practical measures" on floor crossing in connection with the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“Since these statements are being broadcast on the national media, it is imperative that the election commission clarifies its constitutional and legal responsibility," the ECP statement added.

The commission elaborated that the details of a lawmaker's disqualification over defection were described under Article 63 (A) of the Constitution.

It added that as per this Article, a party chief needed to declare in writing that a lawmaker had defected and a copy of the declaration had to be sent to the presiding officer – who in this case was the NA speaker – and the chief election commissioner.

However, the lawmakers, who were being accused of defection, must be given an opportunity to explain as to why such a declaration might not be submitted against them.

After that, the presiding officer, who in the current case would be the NA speaker, would send the declaration about a dissident lawmaker's disqualification to the chief election commissioner (CEC) within two days.

The ECP added that if the presiding officer failed to complete this process, it would be assumed that the CEC had received the declaration.

The commission explained that the CEC would then present the declaration before the ECP, which would decide the matter in 30 days.

"The election commission's role will start after a party member defects, the party head makes a declaration and the speaker sends the declaration to the election commission.”

Read: Qureshi speaks highly of allies as no-trust move nears

The commission also cited Articles 218 (1) and 219 of the Constitution, saying that the ECP had the responsibility to hold parliamentary, provincial assembly, local government and other elections.

“Under Article 41 (3) of the Constitution, the ECP has the responsibility to hold elections for the office of the president.”

However, it added, it had nothing to do with the prime minister's election and a no-trust motion filed against him, the procedure for which was detailed under Articles 91 (4) and 95 of the Constitution, respectively.

The NA's rules of business also outlined these procedures. The NA speaker conducted the no-confidence proceedings in the capacity of a presiding officer.

The commission explained that it had the ability to hold elections for the prime minister's office and no-confidence proceedings against him.

However, it made the implementation of these conditional to the ECP being authorised for this purpose through necessary legislation.

FM Qureshi, in a statement, said those who had decided to sell their vote cannot be stopped from selling their conscience, while lamenting the role of some MNAs.

“Every elected member cares about their voters," he said, adding that the party respected all its elected members as they represented millions of people.

In a bid to woo the ruling party's allies, the minister said the Chaudhry brothers of the PML-Q – a key coalition partner at the Centre and in Punjab – were principled in their politics and would make the right decision at the right time.

He also thanked the MQM-P, another one of the coalition partners, for having the ruling party's back for the past three years, terming the party a respected ally.

According to Qureshi, never in the history of the country had democracy been damaged the way it was being today.

"The opposition neither has a uniform ideology, agenda or flag. They are working on a single-point agenda, that is removing Prime Minister Imran Khan," the minister added.

He accused the PPP of harming democracy despite presenting itself as the "champion of democracy".
"Bilawal is still a child and does not understand several matters.”

Qureshi said the prime minister was meeting everyone including his allies.

On the UN declaring March 15 as the International Day Against Islamophobia, the minister said that it was a feat achieved due to PM Imran's efforts.

Qureshi thanked the premier for acknowledging ambassador Munir Akram and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' efforts for this purpose.

A day earlier, the prime minister had lashed out at the opposition parties, saying their leaders were sitting in Islamabad’s Sindh House with “bags full of money” to “buy the loyalties of government lawmakers” and urged the people to reach Islamabad’s D-Chowk on March 27 -- a day ahead of the no-confidence motion -- to show that they stand with the “truth” and against the “slaves of America”.