News
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Voting for overseas Pakistanis a threat to election process, for now: ECPISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asserted that delving into the issue of voting rights for overseas Pakistanis at this stage would “put the whole election process in limbo”. During the hearing of voting rights for overseas Pakistanis case at the Supreme Court (SC), the counsel for ECP said it was not possible to provide voting rights to overseas Pakistanis during the forthcoming general elections because there was a need of legislation and signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). He said the ECP wanted a solution that would be acceptable to all stakeholders. Meanwhile, a three member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry expressed annoyance over the ECP and observed that there was no need of MOU or legislation in this regard.
It also questioned that when the entire state machinery was at the disposal of Election Commission then why it was not taking interest in ensuring that overseas Pakistanis are able to vote. The bench has asked the Attorney General of Pakistan, Secretary Foreign Affairs, Ministries of Law, Science and Information Technology, Chairman National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to submit the report tomorrow (Friday). It also asked the interim government to enact legislation through ordinance as per the requirement of the ECP saying foreign ministry can be contacted for the establishment of polling stations abroad. The court also directed to complete the arrangements before general elections. The case has been adjourned till March 29. hasnaat malik
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk