First draft of amendment to stop horse-trading presented

ISLAMABAD: The legal committee formed over the issue of eliminating horse-trading presented the first draft of an amendment to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday.

According to the draft, following reservations by political parties over the show of hands suggestion, voting will continue to take place on ballot papers as per the 1973 constitution but will not be secret.

In order for the process to be free and transparent, the paper would contain the name of the candidate as well as the person casting the vote.

The draft also states party membership of a person voting for a non-party candidate would be suspended.

Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif decided to contact political leaders personally over the issue of horse-trading in the upcoming Senate elections.

“Contact with political parties should be positive and Senate elections should be fair at all costs,” Prime Minister Sharif said.

Prime Minister Sharif added all steps would be taken for the respect of institutions and to strengthen democracy in the country.