News Analysis |
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) have expressed anger and serious reservations over the demands of Daniyal Aziz, the federal minister for privatization and chairman of the special committee on delimitation, to hold the 2018 general elections on previous census results. PPP senior leader Nafisa Shah accused Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz for backtracking on the formula to hold the general elections on time, because, PPP does not agree with Aziz’s statement which contradicts party’s early stance.
Lamenting incumbent government over recommendations of Special Committee on delimitation, in the absence of PPP, Nafisa argued that constitutional amendment had been unanimously passed by both in the lower house, so, PML-N should have taken PPP on board before giving these recommendations. PPP spokesperson alleged that ruling party wants to delay the general elections.
Most significantly, it must know the consequences of gerrymandering in which unfair advantage over the political rivals may create unrest and could even result in agitation and protests, which is the last thing Pakistan would want.
She reminded the PML-N that Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is the right forum for appeals and any violations of Section 20 of Election Act should be reported to the apex court. Though, it appears that former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif [through continues rhetoric against the judiciary and alleged role of the establishment against his ouster], is in hurry to conduct elections on time.
Moreover, to regain political clout, it appeared that Nawaz is aiming for timely elections through smooth delimitation process to clear the way for his party to power again to confront those responsible for his ouster more confidently. The series of huge public gatherings across Punjab and in KP are seemingly part of Nawaz’s preparations for elections ahead.
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But, having seen the five recommendations of the National Assembly Working Group of the Special Committee on Delimitation of Constituencies, the government may prove to be the biggest hindrance to the timely elections. The proposed delimitation of constituencies has apparently shocked the government and opposition candidates and raised few eyebrows over the issue.
All the political parties were campaigning in their constituencies feel hard done by the proposed delimitation. On March 5th the ECP proposal caused panic and apparent unrest, among some constituents, after witnessing their constituencies being divided. Political parties have demanded the ECP to change their decision and re-examine the proposed delimitation of constituencies.
To ensure that balance of population remains even throughout the districts and provinces, pre-polls redrawing of boundaries of constituencies are crucial to ensure participation of voters in accordance with the population of the area.
After complaints of discrepancies, NA speaker constituted a parliamentary panel headed by Deputy Speaker Javed Murtaza Abbasi to look into the matter. The parliamentary panel made a working group to formulate recommendations to NA. The committee proposed the amendment in the Act 20 of EC. And astonishingly, it recommended that 2018 general elections should be held on the basis of old constituencies and the constitutional amendment should be withdrawn according to which elections are supposed to be held on provincial census results.
Citing violations of rules in different constituencies, while making delimitation of constituencies, the committee also recommended approaching the apex court to take suo moto notice of the public interest issue under Article 184. It also proposed changes in procedures according to which; ECP should not be authorized to hear objections over delimitation and some other body should be given the authority to hear complaints.
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Another controversial recommendation can be deemed as a threatening remark against the ECP members. The commission threatened to arrest the members of ECP committees who drafted these delimitations. The government has, yet again, opted a confronting policy and this time against ECP. Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry slammed Daniyal Aziz for threatening a constitutional institution. Government is again at loggerheads with another institution over its inability to carry out delimitation according to its wish list.
To ensure that balance of population remains even throughout the districts and provinces, pre-polls redrawing of boundaries of constituencies are crucial to ensure participation of voters in accordance with the population of the area. If a certain party doesn’t get a favor in a particular constituency, it may get a relief in another jurisdiction. It should not be a problem general, unless, a particular candidate is targeted purposely.
Most significantly, it must know the consequences of gerrymandering in which unfair advantage over the political rivals may create unrest and could even result in agitation and protests, which is the last thing Pakistan would want.