Siraj links true democracy to electoral reforms

LAHORE

Jamaat e Islami Ameer Senator Sirajul Haq has said comprehensive electoral reforms before the next elections are imperative for establishing a transparent and true democracy in the country.

Addressing a press conference at Mansoora on Thursday, he said Articles 62 and 63 of the constitution were not pieces of decoration but were for implementation in letter and spirit.

He said election system must be overhauled well before the next elections to restore the confidence of the masses in the activity. He said that because of electoral corruption, feudal lords, land mafia, capitalists managed to come in power. He said mandate was purchased. .

Sirajul Haq said the masses had realised that the present electoral system solved the problems of the rulers and not of the masses. He said he would meet the heads of political parties, including Asif Ali Zardari, Imran Khan and Maulana Fazlur Rahman, to bring them on one page regarding electoral reforms.

Sirajul Haq said general public was losing faith in electoral system and the polling process, and was disappointed which was giving rise to unrest and even terrorism. He said he wanted to restore the public confidence in the electoral system.

He said that along with the electoral reforms, formation of an impartial and interim government, and a truly independent and sovereign election commission was also essential for a true and transparent democratic system.

He alleged that the election commission’s attitude showed that it was making a mockery of the Articles 62 and 63. He said the ROs in the election commission should be made fully independent and the election staff should be placed under them. This is essential to hold someone responsible for rigging or other illegalities in the polls, he said.

He said candidates must also be required to file a certificate for having given the share of their sisters and daughters in their inherited property. He said casting vote was the right of every citizen but generally the womenfolk had to face great problems in this regard.

Special steps should be taken to facilitate the female voters, he added. He suggested that like all democratic states, election expenditure should be borne by the state.He said an honest cycle owner could not compete a dishonest millionaire in elections. He also demanded that overseas Pakistanis be provided an opportunity to exercise their right of vote. .