The federal government is, itself, desirous of holding free and fair elections in accordance with the law and the Constitution. PHOTO: FILE
The government assured the Supreme Court on Monday that the next general elections would be held on time and in a free and fair manner.
Attorney General Irfan Qadir, upon receipt of telephonic instructions from the prime minister, stated that the federal government wants just, timely elections to be held in the country.
In a written order, the court observed: “The federal government is, itself, desirous of holding free and fair elections in accordance with the law and the Constitution. Therefore, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is directed to gear up for the forthcoming elections in accordance with the Constitution.”
The court, as in the case of Workers’ Party Pakistan pronouncement on June 8, 2012, issued various directions to the ECP to make the necessary arrangements that will guarantee elections are conducted in accordance with law and that corrupt practices are guarded against, as held by Article 218(3) of the Constitution.
As the national and provincial assemblies are about to complete their tenure, the counsel for the petitioners submitted an application stating non-implementation of the judgment so far.
ECP submits apt response
A comprehensive report was promptly submitted on Monday by the ECP before a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, stating that the commission “has made all necessary preparations that are required for conducting a free, fair and transparent election in the country and is ready to hold elections in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the law.”
The report also exhibited a stepwise implementation of the judgment.
The ECP is obliged to ensure that all elections witness a substantial participation of the electorate. Therefore, all necessary steps must be taken to make voting compulsory as early as possible. In the ‘first-past-the-post’ system, the winning candidate does not necessarily receive an absolute majority of all votes cast. As such, this principle violates the principle of majority. Consequently, the ECP may explore ways to introduce a more appropriate system of election to ensure true representation of the people and rule of the majority.
The court will hear election matters from Wednesday onwards.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2013.
COMMENTS (6)
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And IK will clean sweep it. InshAllah.
It is in the best interest of Pakistan that this Government be dissolved & a care taker Government comes in. If PPP/PMLN drags its tenure till march then we will only get 60 days for preparing for election day! but if it goes now, we will get 90 days to scrutinize the candidates & prepare for the election day, this will result in fairer elections.
Thank you. From Pakistani awam.
Of course the GOVT wants the elections done on time. They will constantly use this as a defense as TuQ has completely exposed the system. They are beneficiaries of this corrupt system IK must act now or never. To reform the ECP else these guys will again be in power!
You mean selection !