ECP initiates process of consulting political parties on general elections
If elections are not held within 90 days, Constitution would be considered as void: Syed Ali Zafar
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has initiated the process of consulting political parties on general elections, which are due in November but are widely expected to be delayed as the regulator must first carryout the delimitations based on the results of a fresh census.
However, ECP has made a commitment that the elections would be held as soon as possible and it would ensure to provide a level playing field to all the political parties in the elections while ensuring the transparency of the polls.
It further noted to continue consultation process with the political parties and it has been expressed during a consultative meeting with the delegations of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr. Sikandar Sultan Raja presided over a meeting on Thursday. Members ECP, Secretary ECP and other senior officers also participated in the meeting. Meeting was also attended by the representatives of PTI and JUI-F.
Motif behind consultation is to take feedback of political parties regarding the electoral roadmap. Dr. Zaheeruddin Babar Awan, Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar and others participated in the meeting. JUI-F was presented by party secretary general Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Jallaluddin, Maulana Darwesh. Senator Kamran Murtaza Advocate joined the meeting through video link. In the issued declaration, it was stated that consultative meeting was held in friendly environment.
During the meeting, the PTI stressed upon the need of holding elections within 90 days besides urging the ECP to abide by the Constitution as per its mandate. PTI urged the ECP that all political parties should be provided a level-playing-field.
Another point which the PTI took up was making changes in the delimitations. PTI said there would be a need of constitutional amendments for creating new constituencies whereas no National Assembly exists at present which is why we stressed to do not work regarding delimitations.
Third point which PTI took up was that all the political parties should be given opportunities equally to participate in the elections by holding rallies, political gathering and elections related meetings.
The ECP assured the representatives of both the parties that it will make all efforts to hold polls as early as possible and all the parties would be given equal opportunities in the elections. It added the transparency of the elections would be ensured. Moreover, the ECP said that it would continue its consultation process with the political parties.
Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar has said that if elections are not held within 90 days, the Constitution of the country would be considered as void.
Accompanied by party’s delegation, Senator Ali Zafar expressed these views while talking to media persons after holding consultative meeting with the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Secretary ECP was also present in the consultative meeting. He further warned that constitutional crisis would leave serious impacts on the country.
PTI leader said that they were ready to hold negotiation with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). He added for making changes in the delimitations, there would be a need of constitutional amendments for creating new constituencies whereas no National Assembly exists at present.
He went on to say that the only way left with the ECP was to hold elections in the country and added the Constitution should not be put aside. He noted the President of Pakistan got delayed in writing down letter to the ECP and added the next meeting would be held on the issue of technical issues.
Senator Syed Ali Zafar said that they have briefed the ECP about their concerns in connection with purported delay in elections and added that discussion was held in a friendly environment.
“We stressed upon the need of holding elections within 90 days and in the regard, there are two verdicts of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. We urged the ECP to abide by the Constitution as per their mandate. PTI is ready to cooperate fully. All should be provided a level-playing-field.
Another point which they took was making changes in the delimitations, he said and added for this there would be a need of constitutional amendments for creating new constituencies whereas no National Assembly exists at present which is why we stressed to do not work at delimitations.
Ali Zafar remarked, “Third point which they took up was that all the political parties should be equally given opportunities to participate in the elections by holding rallies, political gathering and elections related meetings.”