AS Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the schedule of Senate elections, confusion still surrounds about the mode of voting. The matter has become more complicated especially after the promulgation of an ordinance by the President amending the Constitution to hold the polls through an open ballot without waiting for the Supreme Court decision on the reference he had sent on the same subject. The opposition parties and the lawyers’ fraternity have rejected the ordinance saying it is an attempt not only to dictate the judiciary but also to undermine the Constitution and Parliament.
Certainly, it is not in the fitness of things to amend the Constitution through an ordinance when Parliament is in place. One fully agrees with the stance of Prime Minister Imran Khan of bringing transparency in the Senate polls. The recent damning video that appeared on the media has once again necessitated the need to end the malpractices in the elections. Indeed those making their way to the House through illegal means can never serve the interests of the people and the country. However, the course adopted by the government is also not the right one. Such matters can only be sorted out through threadbare discussion within Parliament and amongst the political parties.
Given the current political temperature soaring with each passing day, the opposition parties indeed are not ready to extend any support to the government on any matter whatsoever but this also does not mean that unconstitutional steps are taken to achieve the desired goals. As the matter is seized with the Supreme Court, we are confident that its decision will clear the whole mist. Even if the polls are held through a secret ballot, it is for the political parties to demonstrate maturity and put a stop to selling and buying of votes. It is also for the political parties to award party tickets to the candidates purely on merit without any other consideration.
Only capable and learned people should come to the upper house so that they could positively contribute to strengthening Parliament and provide genuine guidelines to take forward the country on the path of sustainable development.
