Elections 2013: PTI wants soldiers deployed inside polling booths
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.
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.
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He wants General Pasha to oversee the elections and caste a few ISI votes too!
IMRAN KHAN IS THE BEST
i want change with imran khan
Now traditional workers of two traditional and tested parties will again defy the the effective advice of hope of change with no logic running in their nervous system.
@ Elhaan Khan Your concluding sentence makes most sense!!
@Elhaan Khan: Have you ever gone for casting a vote? do you even know what happens inside the polling station? if not do some research and ask your masters. then look back at your comment.
@Elhaan Khan: What kind of logic is that! You do want them to patrol outside poling stations but you also need them to be inside the sensitive poling stations including the stations in Karachi.
Intervention of army is necessary for transparent elections so that people can vote their favorite candidate. Distribution of money is common to buy the vote of individual. Politicians earn millions of rupees through corruption during their tenure in government. They spend part of that money in the next elections to buy voters and come into the government again. This is how it works in our country. Politics is business. This is not democracy.
Being a federal govt employee in Karachi city, my mother had the misfortune of serving as one of the vigilante at a local school in last three elections. What goes over there is not something that none of us has heard before. On every occasion all the appointed officials would be told to leave the ballot box room political workers would manipulate the numbers. Any one who would hesitate would be threatened with dire consequences. In last election the turn out was 600% more than the actual numbers of voters listed in our constituency. Even if i wouldn't be told this by my mother, I would have fully endorsed Imran Khan's demand. Its not only his demand but mine too. Since we can't have CCTV's installed at every polling station or have media to cover the process. Its our "democratic right" to not only have free and fair elections but also should we have the peace of mind to be able to trust officials who are at the helm of these affairs.
Yet again Imran Khan is saying the right thing, yes soldiers need to be at the polling booths. No one should be afraid to vote for who they want and their lives should not be at stake for voting.
Mr.Khan, how about a small soldier inside each ballot box too?
I agree with IK that all steps should be taken to make the elections fair and transparent but at the same time also warn him to be prepared to face his Waterloo in the coming elections.
Specially in Karachi, I am based in Karachi and will be voting for the first time in next elections. But what I have heard from my elders, I have some grave concerns regarding the law and order situation on polling booths. Going to vote anyway, no terror can stop me, but a military presence would be a good backing for free and fair elections.
Yes. Exactly... Specially in Karachi...
Army should concentrate on their operational and strategic mission. They are already stretched too much. Election is the job of Election Commission of Pakistan and Judiciary. They have got sufficient Police for the purpose. Civilian administration should do their job and handle the situation. After utilizing Army, all the losers will gather together like hyenas for the smear campaign and put their failure on this institution.
@Hassaan: Then I am seriously concerned about you. You should see a cardiologist ASAP!
he means Gen Pasha should oversee the elections!
IK is absolutely right. Whatever the case is, PTI will going to sweep elections insh'Allah. (That's what my heart says)
The should petrol outside polling station like we see in other countries to keep eye on terrorism. By asking them to be inside polling station, you want them to help you win elections. Shame on you , establishment's proxy!
specially in Karachi
I think his demand is pragmatic and based on ground reality. This further suggests that our policing system is incapable of doing an impartial work.