Electoral Reforms
By Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd.)
Westridge, Rawalpindi
Elections in Pakistan have always been controversial and mostly not very fair either, except for the one held in December 1970 and that too ironically under a military dictator. In our elections foul play starts right from the scrutiny of the nomination papers of a candidate and goes on all the way up to the counting of votes and compiling/announcing of the results. It is done at times with the connivance of the election machinery and at others with the support of the political goons and the local civil administration. This all happens due to a weak and subservient Election Commission (EC) that fails miserably to ensure a free, fair and transparent election. The very first step of ‘selecting’ the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) by the political parties themselves after arriving at consensus by the leaders of the ruling party and the opposition smacks of their ‘interest’ in the person. The panacea for this evil is a firm, fair, strong and independent election commission imbibed with the spirit of patriotism and dedication. To make the EC independent and effective in the true sense of the word following steps are suggested:
· The CEC be selected by the Supreme Judicial Commission comprising CJP and CJs of the four High Courts.
· The CEC should select the members and the secretary EC himself.
· The CEC and the members of the EC need not be necessarily judges or former judges. They could also be bureaucrats, academics, military officers from the three services not below the rank of Major General or equivalent, all of impeccable character and repute.
· Delimitation of the constituencies be done under the supervision and the approval of the EC.
· All Returning Officers to be appointed by the EC.
· Appeals against the EC to be heard by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Lastly, there must not be ANY compromise on Articles 62 and 63 and any parliamentarian found at any stage – even after he/she has finished the term – should be proceeded against as per the law and punished severely if found guilty.
