Vote fraud charges: PTI, PML-N sign accord on judicial inquiry

Commission to be formed through presidential decree to be issued today

ISLAMABAD:

It’s official now. Imran Khan’s PTI and the ruling PML-N have formally signed an agreement paving way for the formation of a judicial commission through a presidential decree to investigate allegations of massive rigging in the 2013 general elections. President Mamnoon Hussain is likely to promulgate the ordinance today (Thursday).

This came days after Imran warned of street agitation if the government went back on its promise of holding a judicial inquiry into vote fraud allegations. Imran’s threat was prompted by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s statement that another round of talks was needed before the government could issue the presidential ordinance for the formation of the judicial commission.

On Wednesday, negotiators from the two sides met to finalise a seven-page agreement which was subsequently signed by Ishaq Dar and Senator Zafar Iqbal Jhagra and  Jahangir Tareen and Shah Mahmood Qureshi on behalf of their respective parties. Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik also signed the draft as a witness.



“Today we are finally concluding this [negotiations] and signing the document,” Dar told journalists at the Punjab House. The presidential decree is likely to be issued today (Thursday) as a Senate session will be commencing on Friday. A presidential ordinance cannot be promulgated when any of the two houses of parliament is in session and Dar mentioned this during the news conference.

About an earlier letter sent by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the chief justice of Pakistan requesting formation of a judicial commission, Dar said the commission was being formed through a presidential decree to satisfy the PTI.

According to the agreement, “The Commission shall enquire into and determine whether or not: (a) the 2013 general elections were organised and conducted impartially, honestly, fairly, justly and in accordance with law; and (b)the 2013 general elections were manipulated or influenced pursuant to a systematic effort or by design by anyone; and (c) the results of the 2013 general elections, on an overall basis, are a true and fair reflection of the mandate given by the electorate.”

Asked about a timeframe for the judicial inquiry, Dar said: “We have mentioned 45 days for the judicial commission to complete its work. We will be happy if the commission gives its findings in the given timeframe. We have fulfilled our responsibility and now it’s the responsibility of other institutions,” he added.

To another question, Dar said the PTI would withdraw its allegations and play its due role in parliament, if the commission determines that the elections were fair and reflected true mandate.

Dar said there were some changes in the Memorandum of Understanding but the ordinance was the same as agreed on March 20.  They gave us a mandate on March 24 to conclude the entire process. “This document has been prepared in light of that discussion,” he added. He said that the new agreement would have been announced the same day but it did not happen due to some other issues including the situation in Karachi and Yemen.

Qureshi said: “It is a historic day. We have resolved to give the country a transparent system for future elections. Electoral process will be strengthened and people will have more trust in the political process.”

Responding to a question, Qureshi said there was a need to understand the spirit of the agreement which was based on consensus building and was coming through a new law. “It is a great improvement,” he added.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2015.