Delimitation in Karachi not possible, says CEC

[A.Rafay]

ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim on Wednesday said that delimitation of the constituencies should not be conducted until a new census is held in the country, BBC reported.

The chief election commissioner was speaking during a press conference after meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani who visited Nadra headquarters in Islamabad.

According to some media outlets, the army chief assured the CEC his full support in conducting door-to-door verification of voters in Karachi as ordered by the Supreme Court.

Speaking during the press conference, Ibrahim said that in his personal opinion once delimitation is conducted after the census, then delimiting those constituencies again without holding a new census is “pointless.”

“I think delimitation has been done accordingly after the census….we should accept this….it’s not a time for new delimitation until a census is held again,” he said.

The CEC said that all political parties belonging not only to Karachi but through out Sindh were consulted in this regard and the decision would be taken in accordance with the written suggestions they have been asked to submit.

He reiterated the election would be held in time and said that speculations regarding delay in polls should be stopped.

Ibrahim further said that free, fair and transparent elections are vital for the country, adding that instead of hatching conspiracies and conflicts, political parties should go to the masses. He also appealed to the public that they use their right of vote as a priority.

Justice (retd ) Ibrahim said restoration of peace is vital for conducting impartial elections and added the army chief has reassured him of complete cooperation in this regard.

It is pertinent to mention that on Nov 26, a five-member bench of the apex court had observed that constituencies in Karachi should be delimited in a manner that they comprise “mixed population” to avoid political polarisation.

And later on Dec 20, The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had virtually isolated itself from other political parties when it opposed the issue at a meeting the Election Commission had convened in this regard.

-Reuters-

 

[darkinsky]

Elections on time, delimitation in Karachi not possible, says CEC: ECP assured of full army cooperation


ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: After holding detailed discussions with Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Wednesday on matters relating to general elections, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim made two significant points.

He categorically stated that elections would be held on time and in a free, fair and transparent manner, quashing the rumours that the establishment was interested in getting the polls delayed.

And in a significant shift in the ECP’s stated position, he said that it was not possible to carry out delimitation of constituencies in Karachi.

The statement came at a time when postponement of elections had become a hot topic in TV talk shows. The public meeting addressed by Tehrik Minhaj-ul-Quran chief Tahirul Qadri in Lahore on Dec 23 — where a demand was made for a change in the system in three weeks and a warning issued of a march on Islamabad if it was not done — gave further rise to the rumours that stage was being set for postponement of elections with the covert blessings of the establishment.

Addressing a press conference, Justice Ebrahim said Mr Qadri’s outburst was his point of view and made it clear that the commission was fully prepared to hold elections on time.

He described his meeting with the Chief of Army Staff as fruitful and quoted him as saying that the ECP’s requests concerning elections would be accepted and personnel would be provided for deployment at polling stations.

“Forget about the postponement of elections. Why it is not being understood that the world has changed,” the CEC said. He asked rumour mongers to stop their negative propaganda about elections.

When asked if he had discussed with the army chief ways of eliminating the role of the establishment in elections, he said: “The army chief spoke out his mind and I mine. The meeting has raised my confidence.”

He said the army chief also assured of his cooperation in a fresh exercise of verification of voters in Karachi.

DELIMITATION IN KARACHI: The CEC said suggestions invited from the political parties on delimitation of constituencies in the city had not been received, adding that the limits of constituencies would remain unchanged.

When it was pointed out that the Election Commission of Pakistan had already announced its decision to go for delimitation, he said that the delimitation had been carried out on the basis of last census.

“Whatever has been done should be accepted. We will meet the political parties and request them not to adopt the path of confrontation,” he said.

He did not reveal what would he do to satisfy the Supreme Court which had issued directives for fresh delimitation and gave no indication if a review petition would be filed. He merely said that political parties would lose if transparent elections were not held.

ECP Secretary Ishtiak Ahmad Khan tried to play down the issue by saying that a final decision would be taken after receiving
suggestions from the political parties.

 

[Fracker]

What the hell? Why they even need verification or separate Data? Why they don't use NADRA database, and let NADRA correct their data... not a surprise... ECP is also living in some old generation, and same goes to SC... who even can't suggest a simple thing...