Electoral Reforms: Candidates not allowed to transport voters in their cars, says SC
Taking part in elections is the basic right of all citizens and the state should allow common citizens to vote.
ISLAMABAD:
Announcing the verdict on a petition seeking the reduction of expenses in elections, the Supreme Court stated on Friday that voters will not be allowed to travel in cars sponsored by candidates, Express News reported.
According to the court's verdict, restrictions are to be placed on candidates' cars which are used to transport voters to polling stations and political rallies are to be monitored.
The petitioner, Workers Party Pakistan (WPP) President Advocate Abid Hasan Minto told the court that contesting in the elections was now very difficult for the common man as he has to contest against a candidate who has ample amounts of money to spend on a campaign.
He said that the watchdog was not doing its duty in making sure that campaigning was being done lawfully, which gave the richer candidates a natural advantage over their less privileged counterparts.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said that this was a matter for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) since laws pertaining to the issue already existed.
Abid replied saying that the Supreme Court needed to reiterate the fact that all campaigning needs to be carried out in accordance with the law.
Following this, the court issued a detailed verdict.
The Supreme Court stated that political parties will not be allowed to set up their tents or camps near polling stations.
The verdict further stated that taking part in elections is the basic right of all citizens and that the state should allow common citizens to vote.
The Supreme Court further said that it was the responsibility of the Election Commission to implement the laws of the elections.
Announcing the verdict on a petition seeking the reduction of expenses in elections, the Supreme Court stated on Friday that voters will not be allowed to travel in cars sponsored by candidates, Express News reported.
According to the court's verdict, restrictions are to be placed on candidates' cars which are used to transport voters to polling stations and political rallies are to be monitored.
The petitioner, Workers Party Pakistan (WPP) President Advocate Abid Hasan Minto told the court that contesting in the elections was now very difficult for the common man as he has to contest against a candidate who has ample amounts of money to spend on a campaign.
He said that the watchdog was not doing its duty in making sure that campaigning was being done lawfully, which gave the richer candidates a natural advantage over their less privileged counterparts.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said that this was a matter for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) since laws pertaining to the issue already existed.
Abid replied saying that the Supreme Court needed to reiterate the fact that all campaigning needs to be carried out in accordance with the law.
Following this, the court issued a detailed verdict.
The Supreme Court stated that political parties will not be allowed to set up their tents or camps near polling stations.
The verdict further stated that taking part in elections is the basic right of all citizens and that the state should allow common citizens to vote.
The Supreme Court further said that it was the responsibility of the Election Commission to implement the laws of the elections.