The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has proposed 39 amendments in election laws to make voting process more free, fair and transparent.
Addressing a joint press conference, Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood and Minister for Narcotics Control Azam Khan Swati Wednesday said efforts will be made for evolving consensus among all the political parties on the electoral reforms. They said strict sentences have been recommended in these amendments on interruption in smooth holding of election or making the voting process doubtful. There is also a suggestion to hold future Senate elections through ‘show of hands’ rather than secret balloting to avoid horse-trading.
“Although we need majority to pass these laws from the parliament but we are hopeful that all the political parties will study the amendments and make their support. This initiative has been taken for the first time after 1973 to hold all forms of elections in the country without any reservation,” Azam Swati said, adding that under these amendments, the election plan will have to be presented four months ahead of the date fixed for polling.
“Certain amendments have also been proposed to ensure deployment of impartial polling staff or taking action on biased conduct of a presiding officer towards polling agents,” he added.
Shafqat Mehmood said unlike the current practice, there is a suggestion that political parties should submit the names of their candidates for special women seats after holding of the general election to give chance to unsuccessful potential candidates. He said the use of biometric system in election is mandatory to remove doubts about transparency in manual polling process. He, however, added that still many things have to be done on proper use of electronic voting machines.
The minister said the amendments are related to the pre-election activities, election day activities and polling results, besides the deployment of impartial polling staff. He added that there are also suggestions about sharing of electoral rolls with the candidates and post-election activities. He said the amendments also covere several other aspects with an objective to avoid any illegality and ensure transparency to maintain voters’ trust in the election process.
