Elections 2013: PTI wants soldiers deployed inside polling booths

Imran says his party will never form an alliance with PPP or PML-N.


Zahid Gishkori/irfan Ghauri November 30, 2012

ISLAMABAD:


Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday said soldiers should be deployed inside polling stations in sensitive areas to ensure transparency in the upcoming general elections.


The demand comes at a time when Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim has already expressed his willingness to deploy the military in “sensitive” polling stations.

“Army personnel should be deployed inside polling booths to ensure transparent voting,” PTI chief Imran Khan told journalists in Islamabad. Imran said he will forward his suggestion to the CEC at a meeting likely to be held next month.

He also stressed upon the need for early finalisation of electoral rolls.

Imran said nobody had formally contacted him regarding the interim set up. “An independent interim setup can ensure fair elections in Pakistan,” he said, while stressing upon the need of an impartial caretaker prime minister.

About the party’s intra-elections, Imran hoped the polls will conclude by January 15 next year.

Imran Khan

He said his party will never opt for a political alliance with the two traditional parties –Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party, which according to him are supporting each other to prolong their traditional struggle for power.

“PTI is yet to decide on seat adjustments with any political party,” Imran said.

Misdirected seat adjustments could lead towards the party’s failure in the upcoming polls, he said.

Imran added that if his party failed, it will be his fault for choosing the wrong candidates. “Selection of the right candidates will pave the way for PTI’s success in the general elections.”

Imran maintained external elements were behind the current unrest in Balochistan.

“If the PTI comes to power, it will try to resolve the issue of Balochistan by inviting all the sardars to the negotiating table.”

The party will revamp the police force, which would operate sans political pressure, he added.

He also stressed upon the need for understanding between institutions, especially the military and the government. “I don’t believe in politics of confrontation between the military and the civilian government.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2012. 

COMMENTS (24)

A Khan | 11 years ago | Reply

We are conducting a survey on Pakistani Election 2013 and would like to encourage fellow Pakistanis to please fill out this survey (will only take a minute). As our token of appreciation we will enter your email address in a lucky draw to winning an iPod Nano.

http://election2013.wufoo.com/forms/enter-a-lucky-draw-to-win-an-ipod-nano/

Kamran Naqvi | 11 years ago | Reply

He wants General Pasha to oversee the elections and caste a few ISI votes too!

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