KARACHI:
The process of voter verification should not just be restricted to Karachi, but should take place countrywide, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Raza Haroon said on Wednesday.
Haroon told The Express Tribune that the “MQM is a law-abiding party and respects and follows the Constitution, and we respect the Supreme Court.” He added, however, that “this is a good decision but by just restricting it to Karachi, this is increasing the sense of deprivation among Karachi’s residents.”
Explaining why he felt there was a need for voter verification across the country, he pointed to Tuesday’s by-elections. “It was shown on the media how the election commission’s Code of Conduct was violated and how the candidates made allegations of rigging and bogus voting against each other,” Haroon said.
The MQM leader said electoral lists should only be altered on the request of individual voters, not parties. “It is my right, and my vote, as a citizen. No political party should be able to say ‘put this one group of people in this constituency’”. People should have the right to vote where they want – whether it’s at their current address or their permanent one. Some people may choose to vote from their permanent address,” he said.
Haroon added, “... The Supreme Court has given the election commission the responsibility and said that, where they need – for their own security – they can call on the Frontier Corps and the army for protection. But the right remains with the election commission.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2012.
COMMENTS (29)
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there is 56 % population of punjabis in pakistan, but in pak army and inteligence agencies, they make up more then 90 %. does supreme court has courage to deal with this over representaion. the way they are trying to steal the mandate of MQM... if there is a fare representation of all ethics in pakistan. we wont face Marsha Law
Why these foreigners are not being brought to justice for "False Declaration" at the time of general election? Why they succeed every time they subvert the Law??
Am still confuse that how Farooq Sattar managed to win last election, He was losing from a huge margin and in last hour he won with a huge difference.
they should not be worried at all after all they have the mandate of majority in karachi don't they????
@ALL: What makes you think that MQM will let that happen? hahaha
If verification of voters
list of Karachi would be made under the Army supervision to ensure transparent elections, what about allowing the elections be held in rest of Pakistan on the basis of the unverified voterslist? Does it not mean constitutionally protecting doubtful elections there?I can seriously see a game over for MQM ! I am from Karachi and I want the fair electoral process in my city. I am feeling no deprivation at all!
I was born in Karachi, have been a life long resident and MQM does not represent Karachi. I fully support the Supreme Court in it's decision and forgieners like Raza Haroon have no right to speak on issues related to Pakistan let alone contest elections.
@all Why don't you talk about quota system? Why don't you talk about Mass transit system for Karachi?
Mister there is no sense of deprivation among the residents of Karachi. We are more than happy to verify the votes on door to door basis 10 times over before these general elections so please do not speak on our behalf. Its more like sense of deprivation among MQM workers who cast bogus votes each year. An excellent decision and should be implemented ASAP without listening to such people.
It is not surprising to see the MQM making excuses on door to door voters verification... Obviously,it will decrease thier vote bank on large. But we are afraid of that the SC order will be hardly implemented properly...
He should have been behind the bars by now for committing perjury. His comments are strange, is it going to ameliorate the sense of deprivation or increase it by fair votes.
MQM, why are you so scared?
MQM has the electoral map weighted in its favor. Surely democracy, of which MQM is a great champion, should allow voice of the electorate to be heard by apportioning constituencies on equal ethnicity basis. MQM should be able to still command a majority representation of Karachi but not on ethnic basis but on policies and manifesto basis. This will dissipate tensions in Karachi by giving voice to all that live in Karachi and not just to one party. Lastly, we don't want to see a repeat of Musharraf type dictator punching fists in the air and causing untold deaths to show who rules Karachi.
Nationwide verification. Which nation? Pakistan or the other one he belongs to.
Way to go MQM Pakistan stands by your viewpoint
Razz Is right, People of Karachi are already victim of quota system and what not.
More important question is that: Can any foreigner (like the gentleman) has any right to suggest right or wrong?
It is strange that MQM is resisting door to door verification of votes. It is the same as someone is trying to resist transparent voters list and gives the logic that transparency should be enforced all over the country and not just to our city. They should feel lucky instead.
Now MQM's vote bank is in danger... Good work SC
this is increasing the sense of deprivation among Karachi’s residents not at all, why not begin with our own home ? i speak just Urdu & i live in Karachi all and i want fair and free elections like everyone else living here. I hope this time no one will hear " your vote has already been casted "
In no other place in Pakistan 600 voters are registered in one house.
I live in Karachi and I was born here too,and trust me I don't mind if they choose only Karachi voters list verification . please mr stop speaking on our behalf I don't feel suppressed by courts order "god bless Karachi god bless Pakistan "
Hmmm half Pakistani talking about the issues in Pakistan! Interesting