During the last meeting, the PTI had demanded a public hearing and asked the panel to reconsider the decision to appoint Senator Ishaq Dar as the head of the committee.
According to sources, Pakistan Peoples Party’s MNA Naveed Qamar demanded an explanation for the PTI’s absence. He suggested to Ishaq Dar that another meeting should be convened so that the PTI does not complain about not being included in the deliberations.
Confidentiality
Senator Ishaq Dar informed the committee that some staff members were revealing inaccurate information about the proceedings to the media.
However, Dar said that this would not be a solution to the problem and it was best not to allow staff members to attend the meeting next time. A final decision will be taken on this matter at the next meeting scheduled for August 19.
PML-N leader Anusha Rehman backed this solution and decided there was no other solution to stop such revelations.
Framework of rules
The Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms also framed its rules and regulations. According to the new rules – which would be made public after getting approval – the chairperson of the committee would convene a meeting within seven days. Alternatively, one-fourth of the members can summon a committee meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th,2014.
COMMENTS (15)
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@Sara: You got that right sis.
@KN: It was first introduced in India 10 years ago, in second last elections. It got 3 elections for AVMs to mature in India. One year thing does not make sense.
@Kaleem: Here are the answers to your questions:
The reason PTI only contested 58 seats in the tribunals is because each candidate filed the petition by themselves. Only the ones that could afford to fight the case are the ones that filed.Khwaja Asif and Dar had a mutual agreement to extend the hearing of the case since Dar had to go on a business trip to the US. The tribunal, however, in his absence threw the case out. They never audited the results. It was on technicality that they rejected his petition. Rigging evidence would only been found had the results been audited which they weren't.
All the petitions rejected, were rejected on basis of technicalities. Non of the rejected petitions were audited. 14 PTI petitions have been audited and out of all the 14, rigging has been proven on all 14.
Even a final year student can make a biometric system that can be fully functional for NADRA to use in like max 2-3 weeks for electronic voting. We have developed even more complex systems not just for NADRA but for identity verification systems across the globe in less than a month! If the government actually wanted electoral reform, they could have gotten the system up and running and wouldn't have waited such a long time for it. Even a child could tell you nothing can suit best than an electronic voting system. Look at them! wasting time and resources for meeting! What a brain wave PML N has!
Bring presidential system like US. resolution of all problems.. (No sardar to control votes for constituency). No horse trading.. no blackmailing...
@Sara:
So cute but brainless comments. Do you have a solution or just sound bites to please other Non Leaguers?
@Insafian: I am glad you said that. Now, Lets talk objectively (and please reply to my points one by one):
Why PTI asked for 58 petitions if elections were elected on 268 contested seats. If it was worst rigged elections in our history, why just 58 petitions?
One of these 4 seats were NA-110, right? The one Khawaja Asif vs Dar. Dar was fined later for not attending tribunal hearings, and the decision was given in favor or PMLN, there was no rigging evidence found.
Out of 38 closed petitions (out of 58), Do you know HOW many PTI won? I leave this to you to Google this.
Or check this FAFEN report: fafen.org/site/v5/publications/421_Tribunal Report - July 2014.pdf
Electoral reforms are the need of the day. PML-N, PTI, PPP and all other political parties should join hands to build consensus and should pass constitutional amendments to implement them. This matter should be solved through Electoral reforms committee and current parliament for once and all. So that free and fair elections are held in Pakistan and everyone accepts the polls results in future.
@Zaid: One can only pity your and your leaders' lack of mental faculty. Or perhaps the pace of what's happening is too fast for your fragile comprehension. Either way your state of confusion would have no bearing on current events, such is the futility of your existence. Regards.
Electoral reform by PTI
The ballot papers should contain pre-printed stamped votes for PTI and the use of citizen is to fold that paper and put in it ballot box.
If CASH can be withdrawn using bio-metrics ATM then why not Balloting?
EC must be Independent authority. Implement Bio-metrics Balloting to minimize the cost and errors. Do the elections in at-least 4 phases so that transparently managed.This is what I don't get about PTI. The government forms a committee but they don't even attend the hearing? Are they serious about electoral reforms? Do they not realize that they can play an extraordinary role as legislators? Is this what people voted them in for or was it for meaningless street protests? I am far more agreeable to PTI's vision for Pakistan relative to PML-N's, but I can't see myself supporting them. The only way I would support them is if they were to reform themselves, play the role of a strong opposition (via parliament) and improve their manifesto for 2018.
Only honmest politicians would support electronic voting system in Pakistan.Nawaz Shareef had full 14 months to introduce biometric system for local bodies election but there is no political will on their part to bring a positive change in Pakistani election system.PML N rely heavily on Gulo But type people to win the election.
to clear up the mess of rigging...this ballot paper system should be scrapped and electronic voting should be introduced: E-Voting in following easy steps: 1. Voter enters the polling station and punches in his ID card number. 2. Then puts his thumb on finger scan. 3. Press the button of his favorite candidate.
And the vote is casted and recorded in a central database. Comeon guys this is the 21st century and we have the available technology, we should make use of it.