- Parliamentary leaders meeting fails to strike consensus on 22nd Amendment to curb horse-trading in Senate polls through introducing open ballot
- PPP, JUI-F put in their note of dissent, PTI, MQM, JI, ANP, FATA support govt
- Parliamentary leaders will meet again today to discuss the matter
In a parliamentary leaders’ moot convened Friday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif failed to convince the leadership of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) over 22nd Constitutional Amendment furnishing open ballot system in the upcoming Senate elections.
The meeting was called to evolve a consensus on the government-formed draft amendment bill for bringing crucial amendments in the Constitution in a bid to hold the upcoming elections to 52 Senate seats in a manner that will end the undemocratic practice of horse-trading.
Three new amendments are being considered to allow changes in existing procedures and rules for conducting election for Senate seats. The proposed act will be called the Constitution (22nd Amendment) Act, 2015. The draft suggests that elections to the Senate will be held through open voting instead of secret ballot that is currently in vogue.
However, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) requires the unconditional support of the PPP for a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate as the party holds a majority in the Upper House.
After failing to get PPP and JUI-F on board, the prime minister has called another meeting of the parliamentary leaders today (Saturday) to discuss the constitutional amendment for an open ballot.
PTI, MQM SUPPORT, PPP, JUI-F OPPOSE:
A senior member of the PML-N said that representatives of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamat-e-Islami (JI) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) welcomed the government’s move, however, the leadership of the PPP and JUI-F expressed concern over 22nd Constitutional Amendment in the upcoming session of Parliament.
The PML-N member said senior PPP and the JUI-F leaders asked the ruling party to activate the electoral reforms committee for comprehensive electoral reforms instead of changes in the Constitution for the Senate elections. He said the PM has asked PPP and JUI-F parliamentary leaders to rethink about the amendment, as it was necessary to stop horse-trading in the upcoming polls.
PPP MAKES ITS POINT:
Speaking to reporters after the meeting with PM Sharif, former premier Raja Pervez Ashraf said that his party leadership believes that the government should take all the political leadership on board before any constitutional amendment.
“We are against any kind of rigging and horse-trading in the elections, but it is important for the government to build a consensus before introducing any such amendment in Parliament,” Ashraf said, adding that PPP demands electoral reforms for transparent elections in future.
Thanking the prime minister for calling a meeting to put an end to horse trading, Ashraf said that the political parties of the country want the elimination of horse-trading but it is “not the right time” for another amendment. He said that PPP would only approve of those amendments upon which rest of the parties have no reservations. He urged the government to formulate a solid and reliable policy for holding unbiased elections.
Moreover, a source quoted PPP leader Khurshid Shah as telling the political leadership that the PPP was a party which had given the country a consensus-based Constitution. He added that the PPP had taken along all political forces to revive 1973 Constitution in its original form and it would discourage any bid to bring in amendments which are against the spirit of the Constitution.
Shah said that his party shared the concerns on horse-trading and would also support procedural changes to check vote fraud but constitutional amendments may have “far reaching impacts”.
JUI-F CHIEF HAS SOMETHING TO SAY:
Meanwhile, JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman said political parties should take action against members who cast their votes for other parties in the Senate elections, and that the constitutional amendment would make the loyalty of party members doubtful.
Fazl said the political leadership may address the horse-trading issue by enforcing party discipline and award of tickets on merit. He said his party would not only oppose the amendment but also would not become a part of such efforts which were the idea of “autocratic mindset”.
THOSE IN FAVOUR RAISE HAND:
On the other hand, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said that his party will favour the amendment, while PTI leader Dr Arif Alvi said party chairman Imran Khan had already welcomed the government’s move.
During the meeting, PTI leaders fully backed the prime minister’s effort for amending the Constitution but said they would not become a part of voting process in the Parliament as they had already tendered resignations.
A source said that at one stage, Dr Alvi taunted the prime minister that though his party fully supported the good step, the “last minute step would not help”. The prime minister replied that it is never too late for a step in the right direction.
Separately, while talking to the media, MQM’s Dr Farooq Sattar said that the electoral system of the country is faulty and needs reforms. He denounced people who put price on the candidates saying that these people are gamblers and not politicians.
Moreover, JI’s parliamentary leader Sahibzada Tariqullah and Federal Minister for Textile Abbas Khan Afridi said that they will support the government’s move in this regard.
Endorsing the amendment, Awami National Party (ANP) member Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said that it is unfortunate that the meeting could not reach a consensus over the agenda.
Abbas Khan Afridi said FATA members have assured the prime minister of their support to any move to ensure transparency in Senate elections.
Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) chief Aftab Sherpao said that the government may go for a constitutional amendment to ensure distribution of Senate seats on proportionate basis and the election commission may award seats among parliamentary parties on the basis of their strength – the way the reserved seats for women and minorities are allocated in assemblies.
Speaking during the moot, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that horse trading is like “selling conscience for money”. He said that Senate Election Reforms Package requires time. He stressed the need to eliminate horse-trading with a collective effort.
However, the parliamentary leaders will meet on February 28 (today) once again to discuss the matter.
