Code of conduct: Malir candidates discuss election protocol with DRO
District census commissioner hints private security guards may be hired.
District census commissioner hints private security guards may be hired
KARACHI:
In a meeting held to discuss the election code of conduct, the candidates were displaying none as their cellphones kept ringing in a packed Malir courtroom.
On Wednesday, the district and sessions judge, Malir, Muhammad Yamin - who is also the district returning officer (DRO) - called all the candidates contesting on NA-257, NA-258, PS-127, PS-128, PS-129 and PS-130 to explain the rules they must follow during their elections campaigns.
Braving the deserted streets, all the candidates gathered inside the court as the judge elaborated on the code of conduct. “We do not belong to any party and we don’t care who wins the elections,” clarified Judge Yamin at the start.
The judge said he recommended the Sindh High Court chief justice to change the administration of all areas of the city to ensure free and fair elections. The candidates were told to inform their district commissioner 48 hours before holding corner meetings.
Monitoring teams have been given vehicles and cameras to keep an eye on what the candidates are doing. These teams will submit reports every day to their DROs.
Abdur Rahim Baloch, a candidate, was concerned the monitoring teams will not be able to do justice. He claimed that wall chalking was evident all around the city, while vehicles of the election commission were being used for campaigns.
“The army should be deployed at the polling stations to avert rigging,” said the president of the Malir Bar Association, Ashraf Samoo, who is contesting the elections on a provincial assembly seat. The polling staff should not be affiliated with any political party, he added. The judge replied that the judiciary is independent and the election commission is powerful. “You will see a huge difference between the 2008 and the 2013 elections,” he said.
The participants struggled to contain their laughter when Judge Yamin asked the Muttahida Deeni Mahaz candidate, Shah Waliullah, when he will remove walk chalking from his constituency. He assured that he has already asked his associates to remove the graffiti, before demanding army deployment. “Let the army stay where they are,” the judge replied. “The deputy commissioner will call in the army if required.”
The other candidates were mostly concerned about running their campaign given the city’s volatile law and order situation. “How can we run a campaign behind closed doors?” asked one candidate.
“Reduce your inner fears,” advised the judge, who assured candidates that the issue will be taken up in a meeting with the commissioner. “The law and order situation is a problem for all, from the public to the civil judges and even for the Chief Justice of Pakistan.”
Malir’s chief election commissioner, Naveed Aziz, pointed out that the home department was responsible for the security plan and the election commission will come into action once they are given the plan. “Chances are that private security will be hired,” said Aziz.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2013.
In a meeting held to discuss the election code of conduct, the candidates were displaying none as their cellphones kept ringing in a packed Malir courtroom.
On Wednesday, the district and sessions judge, Malir, Muhammad Yamin - who is also the district returning officer (DRO) - called all the candidates contesting on NA-257, NA-258, PS-127, PS-128, PS-129 and PS-130 to explain the rules they must follow during their elections campaigns.
Braving the deserted streets, all the candidates gathered inside the court as the judge elaborated on the code of conduct. “We do not belong to any party and we don’t care who wins the elections,” clarified Judge Yamin at the start.
The judge said he recommended the Sindh High Court chief justice to change the administration of all areas of the city to ensure free and fair elections. The candidates were told to inform their district commissioner 48 hours before holding corner meetings.
Monitoring teams have been given vehicles and cameras to keep an eye on what the candidates are doing. These teams will submit reports every day to their DROs.
Abdur Rahim Baloch, a candidate, was concerned the monitoring teams will not be able to do justice. He claimed that wall chalking was evident all around the city, while vehicles of the election commission were being used for campaigns.
“The army should be deployed at the polling stations to avert rigging,” said the president of the Malir Bar Association, Ashraf Samoo, who is contesting the elections on a provincial assembly seat. The polling staff should not be affiliated with any political party, he added. The judge replied that the judiciary is independent and the election commission is powerful. “You will see a huge difference between the 2008 and the 2013 elections,” he said.
The participants struggled to contain their laughter when Judge Yamin asked the Muttahida Deeni Mahaz candidate, Shah Waliullah, when he will remove walk chalking from his constituency. He assured that he has already asked his associates to remove the graffiti, before demanding army deployment. “Let the army stay where they are,” the judge replied. “The deputy commissioner will call in the army if required.”
The other candidates were mostly concerned about running their campaign given the city’s volatile law and order situation. “How can we run a campaign behind closed doors?” asked one candidate.
“Reduce your inner fears,” advised the judge, who assured candidates that the issue will be taken up in a meeting with the commissioner. “The law and order situation is a problem for all, from the public to the civil judges and even for the Chief Justice of Pakistan.”
Malir’s chief election commissioner, Naveed Aziz, pointed out that the home department was responsible for the security plan and the election commission will come into action once they are given the plan. “Chances are that private security will be hired,” said Aziz.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2013.