Chief Justice favours vote rights to overseas Pakistanis

Chief Justice (CJ) of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Friday observed the elections cannot be called fair and transparent if millions of overseas Pakistanis are deprived of the right.

The CJP was hearing a petition on granting voting rights to overseas Pakistanis following the Election Commission’s unwillingness to make arrangements for the voting of overseas Pakistanis.

The Chief Justice argued that there is no need to pass a law regarding the voting rights of overseas Pakistanis in upcoming elections.

A defence lawyer for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that change in the legislation is important to enable overseas Pakistani to vote.

The Supreme Court, earlier this month, directed the ECP to make relevant efforts to ensure that overseas Pakistanis are made an integral part of the country’s electoral and voting system through the implementation of voter registration procedures and the establishment of voting facilities at Pakistani missions overseas.

The CJP remarked, “Changes in law are necessary if we want an act in our own country, we do not need laws to make something happen outside Pakistan.”

In his remarks, Justice Azmat Saeed said, “When there’s a will, there is a way. But election commission has faulty intentions.”

“If there is a legislation regarding increase in salaries then it gets approved within fifteen minutes,” stated Justice Khilji Arif. He was speaking in reference to election commission’s reluctance to include overseas Pakistanis in the election process.

The Chief Justice further questioned, “If registered overseas Pakistanis’ do not cast votes then how can elections be free and fair.” He further said that participating in elections should not be a compulsion but Pakistani citizens should be encouraged to participate.

The hearing was adjourned till February 27.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=38482

Posted by Tahir Khan on Feb 22 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. 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.