Delimitation in Karachi impossible before polls: CEC
Ebrahim says ECP will still comply with apex court’s orders.
Ebrahim says ECP will still comply with apex court’s orders.
KARACHI:
In what may be an unintended concession for the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the chief election commissioner has said the Supreme Court’s directives for a Karachi-specific delimitation exercise were “impossible” to complete before the upcoming elections.
“The national census was held in 1998 and delimitation without a new census would not yield any positive result. The Supreme Court has ordered to do it. Let us try to comply with the apex court’s orders. It is not only difficult, but an impossible task,” said Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim during a door-to-door verification exercise in Karachi.
Delimitation in Karachi – which was being held to address allegations by various political parties that a systematic division of voters on linguistic lines had been carried out during the previous such exercise – was being carried out in line with the Supreme Court’s judgments of Oct 6 last year and Nov 28, 2012.
However, Ebrahim said that a free and fair election would be held, adding that the election commission had sought the army’s assistance for the voter verification process and Election Day.
“The future of Pakistan lies in a transparent election. There is no issue over the law and order situation in the country. But some areas are distrusted. I have talked to Corps Commander Karachi and will get army help where it is needed,” he said, adding that the corps commander had assured him of full support and personnel at sensitive polling stations.
“We are trying our best and it would be unfortunate if the upcoming elections are not held in a transparent manner,” Ebrahim said, adding that the voter verification process was in full swing with fieldwork to be completed by February 1.
He went on to add that the election commission staff was working off days to meet deadlines. When asked about reservations by political parties over the election commission, Ebrahim said, “I will not resign before the general elections. Let me complete the task given to me then I will consider leaving my office,” he added.
The chief election commissioner said ECP would implement its code of conduct and strict action would be taken against anyone violating the code. During his visit, he also appealed to the masses to cooperate with election commission staff and turn up on Election Day to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2013.
In what may be an unintended concession for the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the chief election commissioner has said the Supreme Court’s directives for a Karachi-specific delimitation exercise were “impossible” to complete before the upcoming elections.
“The national census was held in 1998 and delimitation without a new census would not yield any positive result. The Supreme Court has ordered to do it. Let us try to comply with the apex court’s orders. It is not only difficult, but an impossible task,” said Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim during a door-to-door verification exercise in Karachi.
Delimitation in Karachi – which was being held to address allegations by various political parties that a systematic division of voters on linguistic lines had been carried out during the previous such exercise – was being carried out in line with the Supreme Court’s judgments of Oct 6 last year and Nov 28, 2012.
However, Ebrahim said that a free and fair election would be held, adding that the election commission had sought the army’s assistance for the voter verification process and Election Day.
“The future of Pakistan lies in a transparent election. There is no issue over the law and order situation in the country. But some areas are distrusted. I have talked to Corps Commander Karachi and will get army help where it is needed,” he said, adding that the corps commander had assured him of full support and personnel at sensitive polling stations.
“We are trying our best and it would be unfortunate if the upcoming elections are not held in a transparent manner,” Ebrahim said, adding that the voter verification process was in full swing with fieldwork to be completed by February 1.
He went on to add that the election commission staff was working off days to meet deadlines. When asked about reservations by political parties over the election commission, Ebrahim said, “I will not resign before the general elections. Let me complete the task given to me then I will consider leaving my office,” he added.
The chief election commissioner said ECP would implement its code of conduct and strict action would be taken against anyone violating the code. During his visit, he also appealed to the masses to cooperate with election commission staff and turn up on Election Day to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2013.