Poll Discrepancies
ISLAMABAD: In the face of the Supreme Court’s steadfast refusal to intervene in election-related matters, concerns raised by three prominent legal bodies reverberate, casting a shadow over the integrity of the upcoming polls in Pakistan. Representatives from the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) are vocal about the escalating apprehensions regarding Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja’s ability to ensure a transparent electoral process scheduled for February 8.
The PBC, through Vice Chairman Haroonur Rashid and Executive Committee Chairman Hassan Raza Pasha, laments alleged inconsistencies in election procedures, delimitations, and seat allocations, fostering a perception that transparent elections are unattainable under the incumbent CEC. The SCBA, led by President Shahzad Shaukat and Secretary Syed Ali Imran, aligns with the PBC’s concerns, asserting that fair and impartial elections are impossible under CEC Raja’s command.
In response to these critical assertions, the PBC announces plans for an all-Pakistan convention, collaborating with the SCBA to formulate a collective course of action, including a potential lawyers’ movement. Emphasizing the urgency of transparent general elections, the PBC insists on equal opportunities for all political parties and independent candidates.
Simultaneously, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issues a statement debunking reports of an additional seat for the CEC and maintaining the impartiality of seat allocations. The Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) adds its voice to the chorus, expressing deep concerns about the CEC’s conduct related to election procedures, delimitations, and seat allocations.
As the legal bodies amplify their concerns, the Supreme Court, led by Acting Chief Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, declines to intervene in delimitation matters, prioritizing stability in the lead-up to the scheduled elections on February 8, 2024.
The court underscores the importance of maintaining the electoral process’s integrity while steering clear of undue interference in individual challenges to delimitation decisions. Overall, legal bodies express grave concerns over poll discrepancies, demand removal of Chief Election Commissioner for fair elections.
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