The democrats and ECP
THIS is in response to the article ‘The logic of controversy’ ( Feb 17) by Cyril Almeida. The point is not that how tough is the removal of the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) under Articles 213(2) and 209.
The point of concern is: have they been appointed under a due process laid down clearly in the Constitution? Is the writer telling the readers that Articles 213(2) and 209 would protect the illegality in the appointment of ECP members? This seems illogical.
In another point, he suggests that anti-democrats are always keen on true democracy in Pakistan. I think this is an attempt to protect two major players of the status quo of Pakistani politics — the PPP and the PML (N) — who believe in electables, power concentration and exploitation.
The federal and provincial governments under these democrats purposely failed to create a foundation of the institution of democracy, the local government, the third tier of government, because both do not believe in devolving power at the grassroots level. Therefore, portraying both parties as democratic does not seem logical.
The ECP has confirmed the doubts raised by stakeholders and lawyers by not responding to the complaints of several political parties in by-elections in Punjab and Sindh and about the violation of elections’ code of conduct by the two major parties.
The ECP has been incapable of conducting scrutiny of voters’ list in Karachi in the presence of military personnel, particularly in Lyari, Manghopir, Sohrab Goth, Malir and other areas where the media and even the law-enforcement agencies avoid going.
The ECP has to prove its writ, otherwise the dream of fair and free elections will remain elusive and the so-called democrats, who have already been tested, will keep on ruining this country for the next five years.
DR S. M. TAHA
Karachi
Formation of ECP
The ECP was constituted legally under the constitution. Dr.Taha is wrong in persuming that it was not constituted legally. The article 209 does not make is illegal if omly somev irregularty has been committed. The legal fraternity is clear on this point. The selection of ECP members is legal under the constitution. The second point he has raised by status quo maintained by thev two entrenched political parties is based on false premise. The electorate has chosen rthem through electoral process. Their policies may not be to our liking but they aredemocratic representatives of thge people. The local bodies issue is not a major concern at this time , when the country is marching towaeds general elections. It is our desire that grass roots democracy be strengthened. Therefore the elections to the local bodies must be conducted on regular basis.The health of the democracy largely depends on them. The reluctance of provincial governments is criminal. These elections should be held within a period of six months by the next government.
ECP has full powers to hold elections or trake care of the irregularyties committed at the polls. Infact it haslaid down therules under the Code of conduct issued by the CEC. Let us not attack the ECP, rather help it out in performing itsdutiees. there are some minor parties which like to cry out foul against evrythig. They should go through the election process and ;ater make the changes , if they get elected.
suncerely Javaid Bashir
Attorney at law
Nashua, NH, USA
ECP, however should be constituted according to constitution. It is only 4 days deal.
power to local bodies is of secondary importanceer first it must devolve from the centre to the provinces as stipulated in the lahore resolution of 1940
No sane person in the country can even dream of clean elections as long as the electoral system remains unchanged, as long as corrupt politicians are allowed to contest and last but not least as long
as masses are kept away from even basic education.