PBC, SCBA on same page for removal of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (Abid Ali Arain) : The top lawyers representative bodies Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and Supreme Court Bar Association Pakistan (SCBAP) have demanded removal of Chief Election Commissioner Pakistan (CECP) for free and transparent general elections 2024.
Both bodies have issued press releases on same day.
Statement of PBC says that Haroon-ur-Rashid, Vice-Chairman and Hassan Raza Pasha, Chairman, Executive Committee of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), assert the crucial need for the General Elections to proceed as planned on the 08th of February 2024. They emphasize the necessity for all political parties and independent candidates to be afforded a level playing field and equal opportunities, ensuring transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
However, they have expressed their serious concerns over the conduct of the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan (CECP), regarding election procedures, delimitations, and seat allocations and highlighted the growing perception that, in the presence of the incumbent CECP, elections cannot be conducted freely and transparently.
A glaring example is the matter of allocation of two (02) National Assembly seats to the CECP’s own native District (Jehlum), with a population of 1,382,000(appx.) while District Hafizabad, with a population of around 1,320,000(appx.), is allocated only one (01) seat. A similar imbalance is observed in the allocation of seats for District Rawalpindi. Despite its lower population compared to Gujranwala Division, an additional seat has been allocated, raising questions about the transparency of the electoral process. It is evident that the conduct of the CECP raises serious doubts about the integrity of the general elections, presenting an environment that appears to lack transparency entirely.
In light of these circumstances, the PBC cannot turn a blind eye to these critical matters. They stress that the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan, as the highest Constitutional Court, must take notice of these discrepancies instead of endorsing every act of the CECP. The PBC firmly believes that the primary objective is not merely holding elections but conducting them in a free, fair, and transparent manner, providing equal opportunities to all stakeholders.
With this in mind, the PBC will soon convene an all Pakistan Representative convention to formulate and announce a line of action and date for a lawyers’ movement in consultation with Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP). The aim is to ensure the cause of free, fair, and transparent general elections which is not possible in the presence of incumbent Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan, as it seems, he has different codes for every political party or individual.
PBC remains committed to upholding democratic principles and fostering transparency in the electoral process for the benefit of all citizens.
SCBAP statement says that Shahzad Shaukat, President, Syed Ali Imran, Secretary, and the 26th Executive Committee of Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan(SCBAP) have expressed their deep concern regarding the mounting discrepancies in election procedures, delimitations, and seat allocations and have further raised serious questions about the transparency of elections under the incumbent Chief Election Commissioner.
While emphasizing the imperative of holding General Elections on already announced date i.e., February 8, 2024, they underscored the need for a level playing field and equal opportunities for all stakeholders. Transparency and fairness must be integral to the electoral process to restore public trust, they opined.
They further express concerns on Election Commission’s competence in terms of rising discrepancies in the electoral process close to upcoming elections which raises valid doubts about jeopardizing the fairness and impartiality of the electoral process.
This Association asserts that elections are the cornerstone of the democratic process in the country and must be held on time. Mere adherence to election timelines without addressing grievances may undermine stability rather than contribute to it.
Previously, neglecting to address discrepancies in the electoral process before the polls has not only harmed the country but also risked the failure of achieving meaningful results, imposing a burden on the public exchequer and expending valuable resources.
Therefore, it is imperative to address these issues effectively to safeguard both the democratic process and national resources. As such, SCBAP is of the view that such elections should be conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner, providing equal opportunities to all stakeholders.
However, SCBAP believes that in order to achieve the aforesaid objectives, the present Chief Election Commissioner should go home as under him, fair and impartial elections with equal opportunity for all, are not possible.
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