Balloting: The nub of democracy

There are very few people speak about the problems linked with the process in which voting, the nub of democracy, is held. However, there are many intellectuals who voice their views that revolve around the need for the system to continue at all costs.

In Pakistan, we hear about rigging of one kind or the other, unfair play, almost invariably. One of the main complaints we hear most often is about discrepancies in the voting lists including bogus voters and double entries.

To end all the above mentioned errors, the Supreme Court took the notice and directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to revise the voter lists at the earliest.

In the latest move, the apex court while hearing petitions regarding the matter has said that it will not allow the ECP to conduct polls on the basis of current voters’ lists. By putting a stay-order on all the by-polls, it asked the Election Commission to prepare new lists which meet the basic criterion of clearness.

On its request, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice has been allotted more time to verify the validity of 28 contestants who got their places in the house after contending by-elections.

It is quite a crucial matter, as revised voters lists is requirement for the next general elections. Under the influence of political parties, all kinds of tampering have taken place in the preparation of these lists, in the past.

Thousands of additional names turned up on the voter lists, and proving their votes, fake identity cards were prepared and such tactics have been committed regularly. Owing to both mala fide intent and inefficiency, names of those who have died have not been removed from the lists.

Among the other problems one is that women’ appearance is lesser as compared to men. As every citizen must have the right to vote, the women have been frequently denied of this right, particularly in the rural areas of the country.

At the same time, fair environment during the elections is also requirement of the transparent elections.

The decision of the apex court should be commended by all circles that will help in building a powerful electoral system. A proper system should be formed that is accepted by all without the controversies we see so often.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=10024

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jan 21 2012. Filed under National, Opinion, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.