The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to convene a high level meeting with the leaders of all major political parties of the country on 27th September 2012, to discuss the arrangements made for the upcoming general elections which will include devising a code of conduct for the political parties and its candidates.
According to details provided by the ECP, the issues that would be specifically discussed in the meeting included an overview of arrangements for the forthcoming general elections, local government elections, steps taken by the ECP since 2012 and the current status of issues which required a resolution by the provincial governments before holding the elections, law and order situation, security measures which needed to be adopted to ensure fair and peaceful elections, code of conduct for political parties and implementation of the Supreme Court’s directions given in the Watan Workers Party Case.
Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim would chair the meeting. The ECP had already addressed the presidents, chairmen and general secretaries of fifteen political parties which were referring to the constitutional obligations of the ECP, the responsibilities of political parties and the elements which were creating doubts about the elections.
As the commission was finalizing arrangements for elections, it also considered it essential to consult the political parties which were the most important stakeholders for the commission as far as elections were concerned, the commission said.
The commission letter also directed attention of the political leadership to the critical times in these words: “You are well aware that the country is passing through a crucial phase of its history and, therefore, a great responsibility has fallen on our shoulders to ensure that fair and credible elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere so that a smooth transition of power could take place”.
It is but evident that such elements have to be proven wrong at all costs because the other option is unthinkable.
