Chief Justice wants ECP to take solid steps to enable participation of overseas Pakistanis' in the upcoming elections. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice (CJ) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry stated that there was no need to pass a law regarding the voting rights of overseas Pakistanis in upcoming elections, Express News reported on Friday.
CJ was hearing a petition on granting voting rights to overseas Pakistanis. An advocate for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) argued that change in the legislation is important to enable overseas Pakistani to vote.
Earlier on February 14, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to make relevant efforts to ensure that overseas Pakistanis are made an integral part of the country’s electoral and voting system through the implementation of voter registration procedures and the establishment of voting facilities at Pakistani missions overseas.
CJ remarked, “Changes in law are necessary if we want an act in our own country, we do not need laws to make something happen outside Pakistan.”
Justice Azmat Saeed said, “When there’s a will, there is a way. But election commission has faulty intentions.”
“If there is a legislation regarding increase in salaries then it gets approved within fifteen minutes,” stated Justice Khilji Arif. He was speaking in reference to election commission’s reluctance to include overseas Pakistanis in the election process.
Chief Justice further questioned, “If registered overseas Pakistanis' do not cast votes then how can elections be free and fair.” He further said that participating in elections should not be a compulsion but Pakistani citizens should be encouraged to participate.
The hearing was adjourned till February 27.
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is it that mr chaudhary is the election commissioner ?? he has done too much damage to the image of overseas Pakistanis and now this is a hypocritical move to look like he is doing them some favor He is not the shehnash!! Pakistanis beware this man is not right
Those who don't live in Pakistan should have no say in who runs this country.
I am Pakistani who lives in US. I had a Machine Readable Passport (MRP). I had to renew it, yesterday I received a "Handwritten" manual passport attached to my previous MRP passport. Reason : MRP machine is broken.
I have no hope that I will be able to vote. We are moving backwards not forward !!!!
Overseas Pakistanis can't question the legality or impartiality of the EC, yet they can be allowed to determine the fate of the country. Twisted logic!
Its very heartening to see every major player in the country want to contribute their share to the success and transparency of ensuing general election in Pakistan. Its a tribute to PPP for its policy of moderation and reconciliation.
It is a travesty that I as a Pakistan citizen, not a dual-nationality holder, am being systematically kept out of the system. Why doesn't my vote count? Am I lesser Pakistani?
This is the only option for democracy to work effectively. People overseas keep a good eye on Pakistan. The understand the difference between sincere and non sincere politicians. They can vote based on the merit of a contestent. This will stop feudels from exploiting the non educated voters. Hope this happen before this election.
A GOOD SYMPTOM !!
CJ has given a good topic deserves to be discussed in length.
We overseas Pakistanis are as much a part of this country as others are so we should be given the full right to vote