The case was taken up by the apex court when Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) filed applications, claiming that around 300,000 votes of people in Karachi were registered outside the city.
During today’s session, the apex court bench reiterated its earlier suggestions, saying the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should go door-to-door for the verification of Karachi’s deeply contentious voters’ lists.
It further said that the ECP should seek the Army’s assistance for this purpose.
No time frame has been given for the verification process, however - as per the law - the ECP is responsible for verifying votes prior to the general elections.
COMMENTS (23)
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Why is the Supreme Court treading on the toes of the ECP? Does it have jurisdiction to offer advice to this supposedly independent institution? Is Fakhru Bhai going to protest against undue meddling?
The issue of the voters list is very simple and need not to waste a lot of money and human resource. As we all know that there are two addresses on CNIC; permanent & Present and it is the requirement to produce original CNIC at the time of voting. Thus the voter either living on the present address or on permanent address, no room for the 3rd address. The voters list may be prepared with a click on key board with permanent address on CNIC of entire country and if any one wants to have his/her name on present address as per CNIC, he/she may sent an sms to a number (may be specified by NADRA/EC) from a mobile number registered in his/her own name or a family members name. The NADRA/EC may give 15 days time to sms for request in change of voter list. This may be done through countrywide media campaign and all parties must also campaign it at their own level. The work is so easy and cost effective if we use already available NADRA data base if NADRA thinks its data base is reliable. No need to involve army, police, rangers, FC, teachers, other government departments etc except NADRA/EC. However, if one wanted to get it vote registered on a address other than permanent or present address, the SC should ask him/her for the reasons.
The comments on this post is showing the feudal mentality of Pakistan and repeating the same history what they had done with East Pakistan Majority and now doing same with Karachi and Balouchistan, humiliating and stealing their mandate but now this unjustified, biased and unconstitutional delimitation order just for Karachi flame the whole country and will end on final destination.
After reading this article, there are two concerns in my mind: 1) Why Now 2) Why Karachi ONLY?
The timing is critically significant as we said on the eve of the election year. To mandate such a drift at such a critical time on ONLY AT A TARGETED LOCATION, is the most important point to be noted. When such things are mandated by institutions at such a critical time; there motive is CLEAR. To put one particular organization at a CLEAR AND CONSISIVE DISADVANTAGE.
Last thing is to be noted is WHY KARACHI; every few years citizens of Karachi become victims of such ploys by the institutions. Ploys in which there mandate and constitutional right are sabatoged.
I hope citizens of Pakisan have enough sense to make the judgmental call and differ between the truth and the propaganda which they are being forced to believe in.
One of the Dividends of independent judiciary !! Now it becomes clear why some elements were obstructing restoration of judiciary. Long Live Pakistan !
Great work SC. Thumbs up!
If this happens then this time we will have transparent (MQM free) elections....Very good Supreme Court. Now I hope ECP gives its best to follow the order.
@Faisal: No dear, now impossible. But its time to wait for another Naseer ullah baber. 1992 is about to repeat.
@Faisal There is a difference that Mohajirs or whatever they like to call themselves do not belong here
This is setting the stage for the separation of Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, and Sukkur into the Republic of Mohajirstan.....1971 is about to be repeated.
I am not supporter of any political party but why only in Karachi??
We need army for ghoost schools check, for fake electricity meters check, for voter lists check, for irrigation systems operation check, for deciding & directing Pakistan' foreign and internal policy --- Let's wholeheartedly welcome the army.
Thanks Supreme Court to decide towards reality side and you are the only one source to lead the lead the people to enlighten side and their elected representatives often have made looters instead of long beards and not responding to their expectation. To guess yesterday election they openly use the pistols, shotguns, machineguns to show his power that is above any role and regulations. They are completely absent to amendment in assembly to have a law of death punishment for corruption. They are less interested to solve the problems and imply any role. What will be the Pakistan where the army and public representative’s role are same in a country? Please think for Pakistan otherwise we will erase spontaneously from world map because we are not obeying our responsibility.
Good step. No honorable person can do jobs under threats from militants and target killers.
Well done Supreme court - please remove no go areas along with updating voters register. We want out karachi back
What is function of Barcode on CNIC, I think it should be utilised............
Army should be used for verifying as there are too many no-go areas in Karachi
SC is doing what govt should ve done. good work
A very good step. It will help in holding fair elections.
It is not Army's job to verify voter lists, manage irrigation system cleaning campaigns or handle social development projects. Security situation alone is enough a job for them today anyways. Then we blame Army for meddling in Civilian Affairs
Good decision.This will ensure credibility to the up-comming free and fair election
Whether it will be done without invoking the relevant Article of Constitution or after invoking the relevant Article of Constitution. Is it the 1st step to initiate military operation in Karachi.