After political parties complained of Sindh Election Commissioner Sonu Khan Baloch’s ‘bias’ in compiling voter lists, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) transferred him to its central secretariat in Islamabad as the new director-general budget.
The election authorities are now looking for a suitable official as his successor within their own top bureaucracy who would be acceptable to all parties.
According to ECP sources, a number of bureaucrats working in grade 20 and above with the ECP are interested in securing the post. However, it has been decided that a list of eligible candidates will be put before a commission, comprising Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim and four members, for selection.
ECP Secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan confirmed that Baloch has been transferred as DG budget. He said a notification in this regard was issued on Friday.
Different political parties in Sindh, except the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), had expressed distrust in Baloch. They had questioned his role in large-scale anomalies in the voters’ list. Some political parties approached the apex court over these discrepancies, which led to the commission being asked to verify electoral rolls for Karachi with the help of the army and Frontier Constabulary (FC).
“The slot of director general budget was laying vacant at the commission. An official was working at the post on additional charge. Baloch is likely to join it once his successor is appointed,” another official of the ECP told The Express Tribune.
Baloch confirmed the news to The Express Tribune and said “The election commission has decided to remove me from my incumbent office, but I will continue the job till my successor takes charge,” while refuting the allegations against him. He said, “All parties are equal to me. I do not want to comment on this issue. You can get the version from the election commission secretary.”
A top ECP official said Baloch was removed as he had become controversial. “Since he had lost the trust of many political parties, there was no reason for him to continue in this post, irrespective of whether the allegations are wrong or right. Such offices are quite sensitive at a time when elections are about to take place,” he added.
The provincial election commission has also decided to convene a meeting of major political parties on December 20 in Islamabad to discuss door-to-door voter verification and delimitation of constituencies. Baloch said that letters have been issued to all parties, including MQM, to participate in the meeting.
“Once again we want to consult with all political parties including the MQM,” Baloch said, adding that deputy commissioners of Karachi have been asked to provide staff for verification of electoral rolls. “Around 13,622 employees are required for 13,622 census blocks to verify 6.8 million registered voters in Karachi. This means one block will be assigned to each staff member,” he added.
Baloch further said the election commission is preparing a working paper for security arrangements and a meeting on the issue will be held on January 2. “Officials of armed forces, police, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary will attend the meeting to make a strategy.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2012.
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PLEASE LOOK AT THIS IT IS A GREAT MISTRUST WITH VOTING RIGHT OF KARACHI PEOPLE.WHO HAS DONE THIS ,THIS SHOULD BE PUT BEFORE AWWAM WHOM THEY ALWAYS CLAIM TO SERVE AND DOING WLFARE OF THIS AWWAM