Transfer of power in Pakistan by June 2, says minister

Power will be transferred to the new elected government in Pakistan by June 2, two cabinet ministers said on Monday.

Complete official results of the May 11 general elections have not yet been announced and the Chief Election Commissioner asked the local election authorities to immediately complete results.

Secretary Election Commission Ishtiak Ahmad Khan says that 90 percent results of the National and Provincial Assemblies Elections have been received and hoped that the remaining would be received till early Tuesday.

Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has said that the caretaker government will transfer power without any delay as stipulated in the constitution.

He said the smooth and peaceful transition of power would further strengthen the democratic system in the country.

Information Minister, Arif Nizami, said that power would be transferred to the new elected government by June 2 within the period stipulated by the Constitution and the law.

Minister for Law, Ahmer Bilal Soofi, said the Election Commission would issue official notification of results in a week or ten days and under the Constitutional provisions the National Assembly session has to be convened in 21 days from elections.

Addressing a news conference he said that in the next phase, sessions of the assemblies would be held for oath taking.

He said over 60 percent turnout in the elections was a big improvement from nearly 44 percent in 2008 elections and the credit goes to the people, who thronged the polling stations on election day, he added.

The Information Minister said on the occasion despite challenges that were considered to be insurmountable by many‚ the Interim Government had been able to fulfill its responsibility for holding of general elections. He pointed out that there were even apprehensions that elections might not take place at all.

He expressed satisfaction that women and youth took part enthusiastically in polling and the turnout was more than previous elections.

He condemned the Taliban attacks on political gathering during election campaign and crowned those who laid down their lives during electioneering as “martyrs of democracy”.

He said that 150 people were also killed in election-related violence over the past three weeks.

Mr. Nizami said there are complaints about rigging and the Election Commission has already set up Election Tribunals to address them.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=40219

Posted by Tahir Khan on May 13 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.