Shahbaz decides to call APC on electoral reforms

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) President and leader of the opposition in National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif has decided to convene an all parties conference ( APC) on electoral reforms recently passed by the government in the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, commenting on the move, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that calling the APC was ridiculous as the electoral reforms were to be passed or rejected by the parliament and not the political parties at any other forum.

Shahbaz held telephonic consultations with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Both endorsed the idea and extended support to it.

Shahbaz explained to Bilawal and Rehman that the aim of the APC was to formulate a joint stance of the opposition on electoral reforms, as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had expressed its reservations on the government bill, passed by the National Assembly.

He said all opposition political parties would be invited to the APC. “Various organisations and institutions monitoring the elections process will also be invited,” Shahbaz said, adding that consultations among political parties on electoral reforms for holding free, fair and transparent elections were need of the hour.

Bilawal said the APC could prove to be a significant opportunity to build national consensus on holding transparent, fair and free elections. Rehman also supported the suggestion, saying it was timely and appropriate, and “we support it.”

The ECP has formally conveyed to the government through leters its deep concerns over several amendments made by the government in the Elections Act, 2017.

The ECP raised objections over 45 out of the 72 amendments and explained its position in two separate leters dispatched to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and the Ministry of Law and Justice.

The ECP officials said a document has been shared with the government with reference to reasons for objections, which have pinpointed 15 amendments repugnant to the Pakistan Constitution and five inconsistent with the Elections Act whereas 17 changes have been opposed by it on administrative grounds. However, the ECP supported 27 amendments.

Officials said that the amendment in sections 17 and 221 seeking “delimitation on the basis of voters instead of population,” is among the ones found to be in contravention of the constitutional provisions, being the duty of the ECP.

The ECP noted that the amendment providing for allocation of seats on the basis of population is in conflict with the Elections Act.