The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Friday announced to boycott next week’s presidential election to protest against the vote being brought forward by the Supreme Court on the petition of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) without hearing other parties.
The PPP senior leader and candidate for the presidential election, Senator Raza Rabbani was addressing a press conference here and made the decision public. He said the PPP seriously participated in the election campaign and contacted all the opposition parties. He said that his party also made efforts to unanimously nominate an opposition leader as well.
Raza Rabbani was accompanied by senior leaders Makhdoom Amin Faheem and Aitzaz Ahsan in the press conference.
“We have been left with no alternative, but to boycott the election,” said Senator Raza Rabbani.
“We considered that ECP has become an independent institution after passage of 18th and 19th constitutions, but it was witnessed that it did not take the decisions independently and allowed the Supreme Court to intervene in its ambits,” he said.
“The Supreme Court did not issue us any notices, nor did they hear us or provide us an opportunity to present our point of view… a unilateral decision was made,” Rabbani said.
“We see it is part of moves to impose the centre’s rule again.”
Rabbani said that the Supreme Court decision made it difficult for him and other opposition candidates to campaign in four provincial capitals and the federal capital Islamabad in just two days.
The senator said they hoped that the Election Commission will function independently after the 18th amendment. It was the ECP’s responsibility to announce the election schedule and hold the poll.
He said that the ECP had earlier rejected the government’s request to change the election date.
The senator said that PPP’s decision to boycott the presidential election is part of their struggle against the military and civilian dictatorship. He said his party has always struggled for strengthening of democratic institutions and the rule of law.
Rabbani thanked the ANP‚ PML-Q‚ BNP-Awami and other political parties who supported him for the presidential elections, and also acknowledged the support provided by the masses.
He also appreciated the efforts of middle class and civil society members for their support and prayers.
At the occasion, PPPP president Makhdoom Amin Faheem said that it was an important day and the party decided to separate itself from the presidential poll after holding consultation with the other parties.
Senator Aitzaz Ahsan said the Supreme Court, ECP and the PML-N had decided the matter without hearing the other parties. “The Supreme Court has dictated the election schedule to the Election Commission,” he added.
Aitzaz said the PML-N was afraid of the election campaign of Mian Raza Rabbani and had taken such measures to avoid defeat.
The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the ballot would be held on July 30 instead of August 6 after the ruling party complained that the original date clashed with the end of Ramadan.
Many lawmakers tasked with electing a replacement for President Asif Ali Zardari will be on pilgrimage or offering special prayers at the tail end of the holy fasting month, the court said.
Twenty-four candidates applied to stand in the vote, although the election of Mamnoon Hussain, the candidate for the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N, party is considered a foregone conclusion.
The Awami National Party (ANP) and the Balochistan National Party (BNP) also announced a boycott of the presidential poll.
Senator Haji Adeel, belonging to the Awami National Party, said that his party had already announced that it would support any decision taken by the PPP.
He further said that the court had taken a ‘one-sided decision’ which was ‘unjust.’
The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) had also decided to boycott the election for president.
SC-CJ have failed to enforce article 62/63 which is criminal negligence on his part and indeed a collusion with imperial elite class therefore an impeachment is required
We are back to Lahori democracy.
Lucky Alhado Lillah Lahori Democracy is best than GANG OF THIEVES(so-called alliance of PPP ANP MQM AND OTHER) Do not be jealous of Punjab,SCCj is the super power in Pakistan and they are working honestly.
"Grapes are Sour!”
If PPP was serious about its victory it should have fielded Asif Zardari, the way it did in 2008, and not Raza Rabbai-who was not even granted a ministerial slot during the PPP's tenure.
Gone are the days when the Bhuttos were fooling & looting the nation. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all the time!!
Rest in Peace PPP.
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