Hasty decisions cause problems
A second package of electoral reforms is over due on account of unforeseen difficulties arising during and after the 2013 elections. Complaints about rigging were made by nearly all the parties. PTI went a step further maintaining that it has been deprived of power through conspiracy. The current method of the selection of the members of the election commission has been criticised on the ground that it allows parties in power in provinces to nominate judges willing to favour them. Delay by the election tribunals in deciding complaints in four constituencies is the reason given by Imran Khan for his proposed march on Islamabad. It is maintained that the under the present system the CEC does not possess sufficient powers. The leader of the opposition in the national assembly has questioned the wisdom of limiting the choice of the CEC from among the retired members of the superior judiciary alone. He has proposed that senior bureaucrats and lawyers too should be made eligible for the post. Another suggestion he has put forth concerns reduction of the government’s tenure to four years, which he thinks would remove an important cause of conflict between the government and opposition.
These and other proposals that are likely to come up need brainstorming sessions. Hasty decisions may cause more problems than they resolve. The ongoing confrontation between the government and PTI also indicates that unless there is a consensus between the political parties over a new package of reforms the system is likely to remain under threat. The PTI too needs to realise that its demands can only be resolved through well considered constitutional amendments rather than marches.
The national assembly has supported the formation of a multi-party committee for electoral reforms. Various parties have already proposed the names of their nominees on the committee. The government however has yet to notify the committee. To allay suspicions expressed by the PTI this needs to be done urgently. The move might lead the party to review its decision regarding the march.