The Election Commission (EC) has written to the National Consensus Commission expressing disagreement on some recommendations of the Electoral Reforms Commission. The opinion was given in a letter to the vice-chairman of the Consensus Commission Dr. Ali Riaz.
This information was shared by Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Monday.
He said that a letter has been sent to the Consensus Commission expressing disagreement on 9 to 10 recommendations of the Electoral Reforms Commission. The reform commission's recommendation has called for an independent commission over constituency demarcation. The Election Commission has said that it’s not necessary.
The EC Secretary said that the mention of a demarcation commission has been made.
“We have said that it is not necessary. We have given a proposal to the cabinet. That is sufficient,” he said.
He said, “The number of seats is shifting towards cities, leaving villages empty. Instead of doing this, it should be done considering the voters, population, geographical location, and regional integrity. It was also said to certify within 48 hours. We think it is not necessary. The Returning Officer is not giving the results if he is not satisfied with the election. This is the gazette, this is the certification. Is there any mechanism by which we will give certification? what will we do? What the mechanism will be, that will go in another direction.
The EC secretary said, 'Our opinion regarding the NID card is that it’s advisable for us to have NID here as we have had experience and skills since 2007. So why should it be taken? Rather, we have to do what can be strengthened, and how can the collaboration be diversified. We are now providing services to 183 institutions, and the service is being provided because it is useful.”
In response to the question of how many issues of objections there are in the letter sent to the Reforms Commission, he said, “We have objections to the objection issue. We have stated our opinion rather than presenting objections. The objection issue is strong and a different thing. The EC has expressed a different opinion.”
