ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) have voiced mistrust in Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja’s ability to conduct the upcoming elections on February 8 with transparency and fairness.
In a joint statement, PBC Vice-Chairman Haroon-ur-Rashid and Chairman Executive Committee Hassan Raza Pasha emphasized the critical importance of adhering to the scheduled general elections on February 8, 2024.
They underscored the necessity for all political parties and independent candidates to be afforded equal opportunities, ensuring a level playing field and transparency in the electoral process.
Expressing serious reservations about the conduct of CEC Raja, particularly in relation to election procedures, delimitations, and seat allocations, the PBC highlighted a growing perception that elections under the incumbent CEC may not be conducted freely and transparently.
The PBC cited examples, such as the disproportionate allocation of National Assembly seats to the CEC’s native district Jhelum compared to other districts with larger populations.
The PBC argued that the actions of CEC Raja cast doubt on the integrity of the general elections, creating an environment that appears entirely lacking in transparency. In response to these concerns, the PBC urged the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take notice of these discrepancies rather than endorsing every act of the CEC.
The PBC announced its intention to convene a nationwide representative convention to formulate a plan of action in collaboration with the SCBA. Their goal is to ensure free, fair, and transparent general elections, which they believe is not possible under the current Chief Election Commissioner.
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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) rejected the PBC’s allegations, stating that no new seat was created in the CEC’s native constituency.
The ECP spokesperson affirmed that CEC Raja’s home constituency is NA-182 in Sargodha and asserted that the ECP will not succumb to pressure or blackmail.
In a separate statement, the SCBA, represented by President Shahrad Shaukat and Secretary Syed Ali Imran, expressed deep concern about mounting discrepancies in election procedures and raised questions about the transparency of elections under the current CEC.
The SCBA emphasized the importance of holding general elections on time, but also expressed doubts about the competence of the Election Commission in addressing discrepancies, suggesting that the present Chief Election Commissioner should step down for fair and impartial elections.
