Free and fair elections: JI for induction of impartial people in interim setup

Says individuals with political affiliations could threaten impartiality of polls.

PESHAWAR:

Stressing on the need for impartial people to be nominated in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P) interim cabinet, the Jamaat e Islami (JI) on Friday vowed to oppose nepotism and individuals with political affiliations in the appointment process.

“Fair elections are threatened if people with political affiliations are taken on board the K-P caretaker cabinet,” said JI’s provincial Amir Professor Muhammad Ibrahim while addressing a news conference at Markaz-e-Islami.

Flanked by JI K-P General Secretary Shabir Ahmad Khan, Secretary Information Israrullah Advocate and other leaders, Ibrahim said it was good to see the province leading the country in appointing caretaker chief ministers.

He expressed satisfaction over the appointment of Tariq Parvez as the caretaker chief minister (CM). “He is a non-controversial person and will remain impartial in the upcoming elections.”

However, Ibrahim was apprehensive of the possibility that the interim cabinet would contain individuals with strong political affiliations.

He asked the Election Commission of Pakistan and caretaker CM Tariq Parvez to take note of the situation, adding they should thwart any attempt to create a politically polarised cabinet.

“That the ruling parties always have influence over elections is one of the darkest aspects of our country’s history,” he maintained.

The JI stalwart said President Asif Ali Zardari is himself a controversial figure who is facing a case in the Lahore High Court. He pointed out that in addition to being the president, Zardari was also an office bearer of the Pakistan Peoples Party. “He (Zardari) should surrender the position of president so that elections are conducted in a fair manner.”

Ibrahim maintained fair elections could only be held by empowering the election commission with financial, judicial, and administrative powers.

He claimed JI had almost completed the process of nominating its candidates for the upcoming general elections.

“In KP and Fata, 98% of our candidates have been nominated for provincial and national assembly seats.”

Regarding seat adjustments with other political parties for the upcoming polls, Ibrahim said JI was in contact with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

“A meeting with JUI-F’s leadership regarding the issue of seat adjustments will be held on March 25, and a meeting with PTI leaders will be held on March 26. A meeting with PML-N will also take place in a few days. The coming week will clear up details regarding electoral alliances,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2013.