PDM to oppose constitutional amendment for open balloting in Senate

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf does not trust its lawmakers: Shazia Marri

KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has decided to strongly oppose the proposed constitutional amendment by the federal government to allow open balloting for the upcoming Senate elections.

According to sources, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) have agreed to oppose the motion and a meeting of opposition leaders will be held on Monday before National Assembly session.

PPP leader Shazia Marri, in an informal conversation, said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf does not trust its members and now the amendment is being tabled to keep an eye on the lawmakers.

She further said that constitution of Pakistan cannot be amended on mere wishes of the incumbent rulers.

Also read: Govt to table Bill for changing Senate elections procedure

It is pertinent to mention here that government has announced to table a bill in Parliament to change the procedure of Senate elections. The word ‘open vote’ has been used in the amendment instead of ‘single transferable vote’.

The Bill proposes an amendment to Article 63-1C and states that even a dual citizen will be able to contest Senate elections, however, foreign citizenship must be relinquished before taking oath.

Addressing a press conference with the Federal Minister for Information in Islamabad, Dr. Babar Awan said that till date no party has pushed legislation to make Senate elections more transparent. PTI will introduce the bill in Parliament next week but those who operate through back doors will oppose it, he added.

Babar Awan said that the Charter of Democracy signed by Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto was mere eyewash, Imran Khan is the first Prime Minister to call for open voting in the Senate elections.

He said that we are paving the way for all parties to stop horse trading and that transparency in Senate elections is a test case for all.

Babar Awan said the bill would introduce three constitutional amendments and the government would welcome all opposition parties who support the bill. The buying and selling of votes in the Senate elections can be stopped, he added.

Also read: Sindh govt opposes Senate polls through open ballot

Government of Sindh on Monday has opposed the presidential reference seeking opinion of the Supreme Court about holding Senate elections with open ballot.

In its reply submitted with the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), the provincial government opposed the possibility of holding Senate polls through the open ballot and said that the Senate elections would be held as per the Article 226 of the constitution of 1973.

Sindh government has requested the apex court to not give its opinion on the presidential reference.

Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), in its reply to the apex court, rejected the possibility of holding Senate polls through the open ballot.

“Senate polls are defined in article 59, 219 and 224 of the constitution, the ECP reply read. Furthermore as per article 226 all elections under the Constitution, other than those of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, shall be by secret ballot.”

“Pakistan’s Constitution of 1973 does not allow open ballot elections for Senate.”

It is pertinent to mention here that Dr. Arif Alvi approved Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recommendation and sent a reference to the apex court under Article 186 to conduct the Senate polls by open ballot.

The top court’s guidance has been sought in the presidential reference in order to amend Section 122 (6) of the Election Act, 2017 without amending the constitution.

The federal cabinet had on December 15 approved to seek guidance of the SC over the matter. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) wants to hold the elections by open ballot to stop horse trading.