Fresh resolution demanding timely elections tabled in Senate

ISLAMABAD: A day after Senate passed resolution seeking delay in February 8 general elections, a fresh resolution was tabled in the Upper House of Parliament seeking the timely conduct of the polls.

The Upper House of Parliament adopted a resolution, which was moved by independent Senator Dilawar Khan during a session with only 15 lawmakers in attendance. It sought polls delay in the light of extreme weather in hilly areas and the deteriorating security situation.

Later, the passage of the resolution was strongly criticised by major political parties – including PPP, PML-N and PTI. Moreover, PPP and PTI served notices to their senators, Gurdeep Singh and Bahramand Tangi, who remained abstained from voting.

Today, Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan submitted a fresh resolution to the Senate Secretariat today, pointing out that holding elections was a constitutional requirement and responsibility of election commission and the caretaker government.

سینیٹ سے چور دروزے سے جو قرارداد پاس کردی گئی وہ جمہوریت اور الیکشن کے اوپر حملہ ہے۔ سینیٹ کی بے توقیری کی گئی ہےاور اسکے چہرے پر سیاہی مل دی گئی ہے ۔ یہ قرار داد ماورائے دستور ہے۔ سینٹ اف پاکستان سے ایسی قرار داد پاس نہیں کی جا سکتی جو دستور کے خلاف ہو۔ الیکشن کا انعقاد ایک… pic.twitter.com/iMAQMDVXAD

— Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan | سینیٹر مشتاق احمد خان (@SenatorMushtaq) January 5, 2024

“Supreme Court verdict on elections has been issued and February 8 has been set as the date for the elections,” stated the resolution. It stated that the recently passed resolution calling for a delay in the polls is “undemocratic and unconstitutional”.

The JI senator’s resolution noted that the Senate lacked the authority to act contrary to constitutional mandates.

“Therefore, this resolution calls for the insistence that free and fair elections be conducted in accordance with the directives of the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” it asserted.

The resolution concluded by called for ensuring a level playing field for all political parties, also urging the nullification of the resolution passed by the upper house.

The resolution

“The Constitution upheld the right to vote for every citizen of Pakistan and the Election Commission of Pakistan was bound to conduct free and fair polls in contingent upon inclusivity and ensuring the participation of all regional people.”

“The vote turnout in colder areas remains notably high during the moderate weather conditions. January and February are recognised as the coldest months in the majority of the areas in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” it stated.

The resolution said various political parties had expressed their reservations regarding difficulties in ensuring participation in cold areas during the electoral process.

“Recent attempts on the lives of JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, former lawmaker Mohsin Dawar, and other political figures had raised concerns about the safety of political leaders.”

Read More: Political parties reject ‘unconstitutional’ Senate resolution seeking delay in elections

“The Ministry of Interior has conveyed serious threats to the lives of prominent politicians increasing the challenges faced by political parties in exercising their right to a free and fair election,” the resolution noted.

It added that there had been a spike in attacks on security forces and citizens, particularly in KP and Balochistan.

“The Senate of Pakistan hereby resolves that the conduct in elections without addressing legitimate concerns, facilitating sufficient opportunities for election campaign and guaranteeing the safety of politicians and citizens would amount to violation of fundamental rights.”

“The general election schedule may be postponed to facilitate the effective participation of people from all areas of Pakistan and belonging to all political shades”, it demanded.