Revamp: Jamaat-e-Islami to vote in new provincial chief

Professor Ibrahim being considered for elevation to central leadership

PESHAWAR:

Starting today, around 8,583 members of Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s electoral college will vote their new provincial chief in.

While votes can be cast until September 19, the counting process will take a little longer while the new ameer will take charge on November 1. This was said by the party’s K-P spokesperson Israrullah.

Three candidates, namely Maulana Asadullah, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan and Maulana Muhammad Ismail, are in the run for the seat vacated by Professor Muhammad Ibrahim.

“As per rules, members of the college can also vote for anyone else apart from the three nominees,” said Israrullah.

“The three were chosen majorly for making the voting process easier.”

He said ballot boxes have been placed at every district office for everybody’s convenience.

“Voters are given time to think and evaluate character, abilities and performance of their candidates before casting the ballots,” he added.

The spokesperson said no one is allowed to vote for own self.

“This makes the process fair and transparent. Apart from convincing fellow party members, the candidates are not allowed to lobby or electioneer for the position.”



He added if any voter, including the candidates, is found violating rules, he will be disqualified for good and never allowed to contest polls again. Once the process is complete, the ballot boxes will be transported to the provincial office, Markaz-e-Islami, and then to Mansoora, the party’s central office in Lahore.

Counting will be complete by September 30 and the new ameer’s name will be announced, added Israrullah.

In the run

Asadullah belongs to Lower Dir, the hometown of JI chief Sirajul Haq. He has served as an MNA in the past. Meanwhile Mushtaq is a renowned figure within party circles.

He had lost favour with the central leadership when he demanded accountability of JI’s late ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmad’s son. His party membership was restored only after he rolled his charges back.

On the flipside, Ismail is counted amongst party hardliners and is known for his strict views.

Both Mushtaq and Ismail are being hailed as the ones leading the line for the berth.

Hanging boots up

After serving for three years as K-P ameer for two tenures, Ibrahim is no more eligible to run for a third term. “He will be eligible to participate in the next election,” he said.

A party insider, requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune the central leadership wants to accommodate Ibrahim within the top hierarchy of the party.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2015.