The discussion of electoral reforms and calls to overhaul the process has been limited so far to public rallies, particularly those held by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), but on Tuesday, the prime minister asked that such proposals be discussed on the floor of the Parliament.
“This issue [electoral reforms] should no longer be the subject of jalsas and public rallies since it has reached the parliament. All those [political parties] who were agitating over the issue should stop now,” said Special Assistant to Prime Minister Irfan Siddiqui while talking to The Express Tribune.
Through a written letter, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had asked Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to constitute a Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms in consultation with the Chairman Senate to formulate recommendations on reforms in the electoral process of the country. “Given the importance of the matter, the National Assembly and Senate may consider setting up a Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms to prepare comprehensive recommendations in respect of electoral reforms required to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the country,” the letter says.
The PM proposed that the committee include members from both houses of parliament, as well as from the treasury and opposition benches. The committee can propose constitutional amendments as well as the introduction of an electronic voting system. “The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz [PML-N] have no cravings to appoint its member as head of the proposed committee,” Siddiqui commented. Siddiqui said the committee would have proportionate representation from all political parties and any nomination for the head of the committee would be made by the members.
“This is not a new exercise,” Siddiqui said when asked why the issue was being taken up at this juncture. “Elections in the past had never been associated with good traditions and it was because of one election that the country was divided. Therefore, we want to free the system from this contagion,” he added. Siddiqui said the PM’s letter made reference to a similar parliamentary committee constituted a few years ago. However, other than some cosmetic changes to the process, the committee did not propose a substantial reforms package and the committee’s mandate expired after a five year period. While the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has been vocal in its allegations of electoral fraud in the 2013 general elections, the party was not a part of this committee as it did not have representation in the parliament after the 2008 elections.
In his letter, the PM said the proposed committee may consider the reports of the last committee and any other proposals submitted by any party, organisation or individual, including suggestions to amend the constitutional provisions relating to caretaker governments and the adoption of the latest technology available to aid polling.
In May, the PTI had initiated a similar proposal and approached opposition parties including the PML-Q and PPP. The PML-Q welcomed the move and nominated its members for the proposed committee. The PTI was also reportedly considering several options including the introduction of a bill in the lower house for electoral reforms.
The proposed committee has been asked to complete its task within three months.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2014.
COMMENTS (20)
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@Saad: Hahaha.... true statesman?! Ever seen the man making a speech on his trips abroad?
@ Saad lolz brother, I love your innocence and wishful thinking
@Rambo: You're not alone. You will find The Failed Rebel on stage :)
Hats off to the prime-minister. Indeed he has matured as a politician over the years to become a true statesman unlike many others.
We do not even have a Chief Election Commissioner for a year now, after Farkhruddin Ibrahim resigned. This talks a lot about the seriousness of PMLn in introducing Election Reforms.
When you turn off the microphone of the minister in the National assembly. Then there is only one way left. Protest, protest and only protest.
Parliament is right forum to discuss such kind of issues but it has never been executed what would have discussed on floor of the house this is complete failure of democracy because so far when you would date back to parliament history you will observe that each speaker could not play a neutral role to address the facing issue because they could not have a soveriegn power simply to say PMs used to trigger them and as well. Then how can an issue be resolve????? So better remedy of the issue is to conduct public rally which can mount a massive pressure on the govt to eliminate all hampering issues. Of course this is even the beauty of democracy.
@Naheed Khanum: The man came on a rigged seat. The electoral process must be made transparent.
Imran khan Clean-Bold.
Information for Sind Govt & Federal Govt : Huge Thunderstorm system is ahead to the coast of Karachi, Allah Khair Karay…
You told us a joke that Nawaz Sharif has a big heart. @Naheed Khanum:
It's Drama of PML-N to constitute Committee which will do nothing but to waste the Time & money of public. If they are serious then should bring Bill in the house.
Very nice decision by PM. Atleast he as accepted that his party is in extreme pressure due to the Tsunami of Jalsas by Imran Khan. The story will not end here unless and until Nawaz declares that he came to power with fake votes. I am going to Jalsa on 22 June 2014.
Oh my.....PM can feel the pressure of the massive Jalsas of PTI. Now i am convinced that PTI is doing the right thing. Hoga hoga Dharna hoga!
Bravo Nawaz shareef.
I appreciate Nawaz Sharif who has a very big heart. Parliment is the right forum to discuss such issues.
how about terrorism? anything happening?
Notices, debates, committees, talks blah blah and family business with India. The agenda seems going in right direction.