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Friday, March 08, 2013Govt to give input to ECP on election nomination form: Naek
* Law Ministry raises objections on proposed amendments in forms by ECP
By Sajid Chaudhry
ISLAMABAD: Law Minister Farooq H Naek on Thursday said that the government would give its input to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for incorporation in the proposed nomination form for the election candidates.
The Ministry of Law and Justice on Thursday raised many objections on the proposed amendments in the Peoples Representations Act and nomination form for the upcoming general elections and announced that the provision backed by the constitution should be made part of the form alone. The ministry also sought proposed election schedule from the Election Commission of Pakistan for onward submission to the president of Pakistan for announcement of a polling date.
Law Minister Naek after holding a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Justice (r) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim along with other senior officials, informed media that the ministry has many objections on the proposed amendments as well as changes in the nomination forms being finalised by the ECP.
While refusing to share these objections with media, the law minister said that we have conveyed our grievances to the ECP and are now going to submit written objections to the commission. Naek said qualification or disqualification of the candidates should strictly be in accordance with the law and constitution of Pakistan to meet the criteria of sections 62-63 of the constitution. He added that issues relating to these amendments would be settled amicably. The Law Ministry would forward both the points of view to the president who has the authority to approve it, he maintained. When asked when would the government pass the Election Reforms Bill 2013, as only a few days are left before dissolution of the National Assembly, the minister said that settling the issue relating to the nomination form was more important. He said the government would try to pass the election reforms bill within next three to four days, otherwise it would not be able to present and get it passed from the assembly.
He further said the government would introduce the bill or promulgate an ordinance to give affect to the election reforms; however there’s been no decision is this regard yet. He said timely and transparent elections are more important. To a question, Naek said that the announcement of the polling day date was the prerogative of the president; however, the law ministry has sought the proposed election schedule for submission to the president. The authority to make announcement of the election schedule rests with the ECP, he said.
The minister said that after the receipt of proposed election schedule, the president would consult coalition partners, after which it would be approved. He expressed the hope that the ECP would be able to complete the election process within 45 to 49 days.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk