Siraj concerned over disrespect to public mandate

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Sirajul Haq Monday expressed deep concern over the disrespect for the public mandate in elections, warning of potential dangers if corrective measures were not taken to uphold the people’s decisions.

Speaking at a “Save the Democracy” national dialogue conference here, he highlighted instances of rigging persisting for 76 years. JI Naib Ameer Liaquat Baloch, Dr Farid Paracha, Mian Aslam, Senator Mushahid Hussain, Barrister Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Shoaib Shaheed Advocate, Pildat President Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, representatives from civil society, election observers, lawyers, and leaders from political parties gathered to call for a transparent investigation into rigging and emphasized the need for unity among political parties and civil society to safeguard democracy.

Siraj demanded the resignation of the chief election commissioner and advocated for formation of a judicial commission — comprising political party representatives — to audit elections. Asserting that the JI’s mandate was stolen, he pledged to collaborate with all affected parties. He also called for a charter of democracy and national dialogue to preserve democracy, emphasizing proportional representation as a means to strengthen it.

Warning against the consequences of mocking public votes, he stressed that the country’s institutions should remain apolitical for its strength. He cautioned that the public sentiments, particularly in Balochistan, could lead to dangerous unrest if the sanctity of votes was not protected.

The nation, he said, was calling for compiling results as per the Form 45. Criticizing the election process, he questioned its value if the public mandate continued to be disregarded, pointing to fraud and result changes on February 8.