Politicking for Karachi: PTI’s demand for re-elections gets mixed response

The demand comes in the wake of confessions by MQM workers of casting fake votes

KARACHI: With the ruling Pakistan Muslim League — Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) finally having reached a consensus over the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the latter's claims of rigging in the elections, Karachi's political scenario seems to have taken a new turn.

Praising and supporting the Rangers' raid on Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) headquarters at Nine-Zero while nodding at the confessions of the party's activists, the PTI once again reaffirmed its support for the ongoing operation in Karachi.

The events took an even greater turn when the PTI's Karachi president, Ali Zaidi, demanded the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take suo motu notice and declare the elections of May 11, 2013 in Karachi null and void. He asked the SC to direct the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to de-seat all elected MNAs and MPAs of Karachi and to conduct fresh elections under the supervision of the Pakistan Rangers. "The party's activists, such as Umair Siddiqui, have confessed that they cast fake votes in favour of the MQM," Zaidi reasoned.



Other major political parties of Karachi have seconded Zaidi's demand. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the Awami National Party (ANP) have echoed his claims. On the other hand, the MQM, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and PML-N have spoken against it.

The MQM even went as far as to declare the demand against the law. "This demand is illegal. The objections that are raised by the PTI have already been dismissed by the tribunals in the form of election petitions," said MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, PPP senator and parliamentary leader in the senate, Saeed Ghani, agreed with Zaidi that the May 2013 were rigged. He added, however, that they were not just rigged in Karachi, but across the country. According to Ghani, neither does the Supreme Court have the authority to declare the elections null and void, nor can it order the ECP to de-seat the MNAs and MPAs of Karachi. "The Supreme Court has no authority now," he said. He added that on the day of the elections, the then ECP secretary, Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, had admitted on television that they had failed in their responsibility to conduct free and fair elections in Karachi. The elections could have been declared null and void on the same day or a day later, he said.

"Demanding re-elections in Karachi now is out of the question. Elections are conducted in accordance with certain rules, not on somebody's wishes," he said. He added that if the judicial commission demanded by the PTI found anything substantial, the demand could be discussed further.

PML-N senator, Nihal Hashmi termed the demand 'late'. "We don't accept this demand; it is too late," said Hashmi while speaking to The Express Tribune. He added that whoever had any complaints regarding rigging in the general elections should follow the protocol and approach the tribunals. "Many candidates have already gone to the tribunals, most of whom have given their verdict," he said.

Meanwhile, ANP leader Shahi Syed not only endorsed the demand, he also demanded fresh delimitation of constituencies. "The Karachi operation is not the solution. Re-elections must be conducted after delimitation of constituencies, de-politicisation of the police, removal of militant wings of political parties and conducting a census."

"The only way to bring peace to Karachi is de-weaponisation," he said, adding that fresh elections must be conducted under the supervision of security forces so that the true mandate of the people of Karachi may reflect through the ballot.

JI's Ameer, Sirajul Haq, has also demanded re-elections on the 20 national assembly and 42 provincial assembly seats of the metropolis.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2015.