PILDAT seeks clarification from EC

According to PILDAT, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has been addressing rallies in support of PPP candidates.

ISLAMABAD: In light of the prime minister’s recent visits to different cities for by-election rallies, Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has sought clarification from the Election Commissioner as to whether this is allowed under Pakistani law.

According to PILDAT, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has been consistently addressing by-election rallies in support of PPP candidates. During these trips, he has announced various development projects as well.

PILDAT wrote a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner on August 3, 2010 seeking clarification about whether the prime minister’s participation in election rallies and announcement of development projects constituted violation of an electoral law or code of conduct.

There are numerous precedents when the Election Commission of India prohibited Indian prime ministers, ministers and chief ministers from using any state resource for participation in any activity which is remotely linked to electioneering.

The announcement of any development project during elections has been a serious offence in India, leading to disqualification at times.

In its press release, PILDAT stated that in the last two months, Gilani visited Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Nowshera, Vikran and Sargodha, all at government expense, announcing various development projects in each city.

The institute felt that the prime minster’s continuing use of state resources and announcement of development projects at election rallies was destroying the credibility of the democratic and electoral process in the country.

“The Election Commission’s continuous silence at these apparent violations of electoral ethics is extremely disturbing,” the letter stated.

This practice is being followed, not only by the prime minister, but also by the ministers and provincial government advisors, according to the letter.

PILDAT has strongly demanded that the Election Commission clarify the correct position and initiate action, irrespective of the position of the violator.

“By allowing the credibility of the electoral process to erode, the Election Commission is indirectly weakening the democratic system in the country,” PILDAT said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2010.