Electoral reform: ECP seeks powers to punish poll fraud
Proposed legislation forwarded to Parliament for review.
Reports compiled by election observers and civil society organisations have pointed out anomalies in the polling process and tribunals appointed by the ECP to hear post-election complaints annulled the results of some constituencies, ordering re-polling here. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Facing criticism from political parties for its failure to reportedly conduct last year’s general elections fairly, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has thrown the ball in Parliament’s court, seeking legislation to boost the scope of its powers, so action can be taken against those guilty of electoral fraud in the future. There is a need, Secretary ECP Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan said on Thursday, to take action against presiding officers and returning officers found guilty of misconduct.
The ECP claimed that under the law, it cannot take action independently against civil servants and judicial officers who were in charge of the polling process during the May 2013 elections. Khan said the ECP could only act if post-election tribunals pinpointed these officials and impeached them. He added that those political parties who alleged that officials were biased should submit complaints to the tribunals.
“We have already requested Parliament to amend the law and empower us to take action against anyone who violates found guilty of misconduct. The ECP claimed that under the law, it cannot take action independently against civil servants and judicial officers who were in charge aof the polling process during the May 2013 elections. Khan said the ECP could only act if post-election tribunals pinpointed these officials and impeached them. He added that those political parties who alleged that officials were biased should submit complaints to the tribunals.
“We have already requested Parliament to amend the law and empower us to take action against anyone who violates ECP directives during elections and we are sending a set of proposed legislations to Parliament once more,” Khan said.
He said the future of proposed electoral reforms, including the introduction of electronic voting machines and biometric verification of voters, will depend on Parliament’s approval. “The ECP draws its powers from the Constitution and there is a need to review the existing election laws,” Khan said.
Almost all the political parties have reservations regarding the results of the May 11, 2013 general elections. Reports compiled by election observers and civil society organisations have pointed out anomalies in the polling process and tribunals appointed by the ECP to hear post-election complaints annulled the results of some constituencies, ordering re-polling here. While winning candidates were disqualified, no action was taken against polling staff and returning officers.
Khan shared a five year-plan with the media on Thursday, which outlined the use of electronic voting machines in the next general elections in 2018. This will only be possible, the ECP says, if Parliament amends the Representation of People Act, 1975.
The ECP secretary said new delimitations can be conducted only after the government holds a fresh census. No census has been held in the country since 1998. The issue of the census is pending with the Council of Common Interest and has been repeatedly deferred.
Khan told the media that the Sindh government has also asked the ECP to use biometric machines for voters’ verification in the local government elections likely to be held later this year.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2014.
Facing criticism from political parties for its failure to reportedly conduct last year’s general elections fairly, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has thrown the ball in Parliament’s court, seeking legislation to boost the scope of its powers, so action can be taken against those guilty of electoral fraud in the future. There is a need, Secretary ECP Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan said on Thursday, to take action against presiding officers and returning officers found guilty of misconduct.
The ECP claimed that under the law, it cannot take action independently against civil servants and judicial officers who were in charge of the polling process during the May 2013 elections. Khan said the ECP could only act if post-election tribunals pinpointed these officials and impeached them. He added that those political parties who alleged that officials were biased should submit complaints to the tribunals.
“We have already requested Parliament to amend the law and empower us to take action against anyone who violates found guilty of misconduct. The ECP claimed that under the law, it cannot take action independently against civil servants and judicial officers who were in charge aof the polling process during the May 2013 elections. Khan said the ECP could only act if post-election tribunals pinpointed these officials and impeached them. He added that those political parties who alleged that officials were biased should submit complaints to the tribunals.
“We have already requested Parliament to amend the law and empower us to take action against anyone who violates ECP directives during elections and we are sending a set of proposed legislations to Parliament once more,” Khan said.
He said the future of proposed electoral reforms, including the introduction of electronic voting machines and biometric verification of voters, will depend on Parliament’s approval. “The ECP draws its powers from the Constitution and there is a need to review the existing election laws,” Khan said.
Almost all the political parties have reservations regarding the results of the May 11, 2013 general elections. Reports compiled by election observers and civil society organisations have pointed out anomalies in the polling process and tribunals appointed by the ECP to hear post-election complaints annulled the results of some constituencies, ordering re-polling here. While winning candidates were disqualified, no action was taken against polling staff and returning officers.
Khan shared a five year-plan with the media on Thursday, which outlined the use of electronic voting machines in the next general elections in 2018. This will only be possible, the ECP says, if Parliament amends the Representation of People Act, 1975.
The ECP secretary said new delimitations can be conducted only after the government holds a fresh census. No census has been held in the country since 1998. The issue of the census is pending with the Council of Common Interest and has been repeatedly deferred.
Khan told the media that the Sindh government has also asked the ECP to use biometric machines for voters’ verification in the local government elections likely to be held later this year.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2014.