Senate demands checks on election spending
Senator Sughra Imam says minimising election spending would encourage more political participation.
ISLAMABAD:
The Senate's Special Committee on Election said on Tuesday that expenditures during the election campaign should be monitored strictly to ensure free and fair elections.
The committee recommended that both legislative and administrative measures should be taken prior to general elections to ensure fairness and transparency.
"There are multiple issues in the current general election holding process, which required amendments and some legislative administrative matters,” the committee noted.
The committee was of the view that code of conduct must be introduced at the earliest, not only for the political parties to follow but also for the media. Members suggested that media is an important player and the introduction of a code will help avoid any favoritism for any political party or worker.
Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar suggested that there must be a comprehensive system by which overseas Pakistanis can vote confidently and Senator Sughra Imam added that billboards must not be allowed as it is an expensive way of campaigning. Dar elaborated that minimising the cost of election campaigns would help more people to participate in politics.
The members of the committee also noted that there were flaws in registering electoral rolls on permanent addresses instead of current addresses. "There are people who migrated from one place to another in search of livelihood. No one should be enforced to cast vote on permanent address,” the committee stated.
Badr spoke that the mandate of the committee was to review existing election laws and to improve the system. He asked the members to suggest recommendations and ensured legislation would be drafted accordingly.
Awami National Party leader Senator Shahi Syed reiterated that parliamentarians should perform their duties and that legislation is a must for transparent elections.
The meeting was held in Islamabad on Tuesday at the Parliament House, under the chairmanship of the leader of House, Jehangir Badr.
The Senate's Special Committee on Election said on Tuesday that expenditures during the election campaign should be monitored strictly to ensure free and fair elections.
The committee recommended that both legislative and administrative measures should be taken prior to general elections to ensure fairness and transparency.
"There are multiple issues in the current general election holding process, which required amendments and some legislative administrative matters,” the committee noted.
The committee was of the view that code of conduct must be introduced at the earliest, not only for the political parties to follow but also for the media. Members suggested that media is an important player and the introduction of a code will help avoid any favoritism for any political party or worker.
Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar suggested that there must be a comprehensive system by which overseas Pakistanis can vote confidently and Senator Sughra Imam added that billboards must not be allowed as it is an expensive way of campaigning. Dar elaborated that minimising the cost of election campaigns would help more people to participate in politics.
The members of the committee also noted that there were flaws in registering electoral rolls on permanent addresses instead of current addresses. "There are people who migrated from one place to another in search of livelihood. No one should be enforced to cast vote on permanent address,” the committee stated.
Badr spoke that the mandate of the committee was to review existing election laws and to improve the system. He asked the members to suggest recommendations and ensured legislation would be drafted accordingly.
Awami National Party leader Senator Shahi Syed reiterated that parliamentarians should perform their duties and that legislation is a must for transparent elections.
The meeting was held in Islamabad on Tuesday at the Parliament House, under the chairmanship of the leader of House, Jehangir Badr.