A.Rafay
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ISLAMABAD: Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ebrahim has surprised many, including a few even within the Commission, besides worrying others for issuing a statement on Wednesday contradicting what the Commission headed by him had unanimously decided less than a fortnight back.
On Wednesday, Fakhru Bhai told the media that he was opposed to the delimitation of constituencies in Karachi.
But on December 13 the meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan, which the respected Fakhru Bhai had chaired, had unanimously decided to implement the SCs decision with regard to the delimitation of constituencies in Karachi.
According to source in the Commission, after detailed deliberations on the matter in its meeting on December 13, the ECP decided to move ahead with the delimitation of Karachi city in exercise of its powers under Section 10-A of the Delimitation of Constituencies Act, 1974.
It was a unanimous decision of all the members including the Chief Election Commissioner, the source who is a member said, adding that the Commission had also asked the Sindh Election Commission to submit comprehensive proposals to carry out the delimitation within 15 days.
Before the Constitution was amended by the 18th Amendment, the Chief Election Commissioner was all-powerful. However, following the amendment not only was the Election Commission of Pakistan made independent, but all major decisions have been left for the five-member Commission to take.
Now the CEC is just one member of the Commission and even if he disagrees to any proposal the decision of the majority will prevail.
In the Waheeda Shah case, the then CEC and Commissions member from Sindh were opposed to her disqualification but the remaining three members view prevailed.
On the basis of what was discussed and decided by the ECP on December 13, minutes of the meeting have also been circulated to all the members.
However, Fakhru Bhais latest statement that he is personally opposed to the idea of delimitation of the constituencies in Karachi, came as a shock to many. How could the key figure in the ECP speak against a unanimous decision taken by the Commission under his own chairmanship?
Following the Commissions decision, not has only the secretary Election Commission been publicly saying that the Supreme Courts order on the delimitation of constituencies in Karachi would be implemented but Fakhru Bhai told The News senior staffer Ahmad Noorani in the first week of December that the Supreme Court judgment will be implemented in any case.
Not only that, the CEC added that he had met all political parties, and all except one the (MQM) are ready for the delimitation exercise.
Fakhruddin added that the ECP was finalising measures to start the process of constituency delimitation and the Supreme Court judgment would be implemented in letter and spirit.
Of late the MQM has filed a review petition against the SCs decision but no stay order has been granted as yet by the apex court against its order challenged by the party.
Questions are being raised why Fakhru Bhai opted to publicly oppose the matter after having agreed to what the apex court had decided. Many believe that it might be his age factor and the environment of stress and strain as the ECP is faced with the challenge of holding fair and free elections. Fakhru Bhai is 85.
On Wednesday after hearing an unexpected comment from his chief, the secretary Election Commission of Pakistan had to intervene to clarify that the Commission is in consultation with the political parties on the SCs delimitation order.
This clarification has, however, drawn a sharp reaction from the MQM and Dr Farooq Sattar has demanded that the secretary should be sacked, as according to the MQM leader, the secretary was conspiring against the MQM.
What has happened to Fakhru Bhai in 13 days? - thenews.com.pk
On Wednesday, Fakhru Bhai told the media that he was opposed to the delimitation of constituencies in Karachi.
But on December 13 the meeting of the Election Commission of Pakistan, which the respected Fakhru Bhai had chaired, had unanimously decided to implement the SCs decision with regard to the delimitation of constituencies in Karachi.
According to source in the Commission, after detailed deliberations on the matter in its meeting on December 13, the ECP decided to move ahead with the delimitation of Karachi city in exercise of its powers under Section 10-A of the Delimitation of Constituencies Act, 1974.
It was a unanimous decision of all the members including the Chief Election Commissioner, the source who is a member said, adding that the Commission had also asked the Sindh Election Commission to submit comprehensive proposals to carry out the delimitation within 15 days.
Before the Constitution was amended by the 18th Amendment, the Chief Election Commissioner was all-powerful. However, following the amendment not only was the Election Commission of Pakistan made independent, but all major decisions have been left for the five-member Commission to take.
Now the CEC is just one member of the Commission and even if he disagrees to any proposal the decision of the majority will prevail.
In the Waheeda Shah case, the then CEC and Commissions member from Sindh were opposed to her disqualification but the remaining three members view prevailed.
On the basis of what was discussed and decided by the ECP on December 13, minutes of the meeting have also been circulated to all the members.
However, Fakhru Bhais latest statement that he is personally opposed to the idea of delimitation of the constituencies in Karachi, came as a shock to many. How could the key figure in the ECP speak against a unanimous decision taken by the Commission under his own chairmanship?
Following the Commissions decision, not has only the secretary Election Commission been publicly saying that the Supreme Courts order on the delimitation of constituencies in Karachi would be implemented but Fakhru Bhai told The News senior staffer Ahmad Noorani in the first week of December that the Supreme Court judgment will be implemented in any case.
Not only that, the CEC added that he had met all political parties, and all except one the (MQM) are ready for the delimitation exercise.
Fakhruddin added that the ECP was finalising measures to start the process of constituency delimitation and the Supreme Court judgment would be implemented in letter and spirit.
Of late the MQM has filed a review petition against the SCs decision but no stay order has been granted as yet by the apex court against its order challenged by the party.
Questions are being raised why Fakhru Bhai opted to publicly oppose the matter after having agreed to what the apex court had decided. Many believe that it might be his age factor and the environment of stress and strain as the ECP is faced with the challenge of holding fair and free elections. Fakhru Bhai is 85.
On Wednesday after hearing an unexpected comment from his chief, the secretary Election Commission of Pakistan had to intervene to clarify that the Commission is in consultation with the political parties on the SCs delimitation order.
This clarification has, however, drawn a sharp reaction from the MQM and Dr Farooq Sattar has demanded that the secretary should be sacked, as according to the MQM leader, the secretary was conspiring against the MQM.
What has happened to Fakhru Bhai in 13 days? - thenews.com.pk
