HRCP wants reasons of delayed polling be made public
KARACHI: The general elections of 2013 were the most expensive election in Pakistan’s history, especially for financially-weak candidates who could not bear expenses to contest elections, says Human Right Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) initial report for election 2013.
Few candidates and parties spent heavy amount on advertisement on print and electronic media and even used foul language against opponents, however ECP took no notice for violation of its code of conduct. In its report, HRCP suggested to reduce the amount that is being spent on election campaigning.
The report is based on the observations made by HRCP onlookers who monitored different constituencies across Pakistan including 17 in Sindh, 19 in Punjab, 13 KPK and eight in Balochistan for several months and also on Election Day.
The report expressed surprise over delayed polling process commencement in Balochistan where Baloch nationalists were contesting election and the HRCP demanded ECP to immediately disclose the reasons behind such delay.
The report further said that at many polling stations, ECP failed to arrange required facilities and at many places there was no place even for poling staff to sit and work.
“In Lahore, ECP established six polling stations in the same building, due to which thousands of male and female voters were standing in long queues under scorching sun while at many places the polling stations were set upstairs, causing problems to elderly people and disabled to reach their polling booths,” stated the report.
Signed and issued by HRCP chairperson Zuhra Yousuf, the report adds that nomination papers of contesting candidates before election were checked on the basis of section 62 and 63 introduced by Ziaul Haq. The HRCP demanded to change section 62 and 63 according to the Constitution of Pakistan 1973.
The HRCP report also expressed its concern over the news which disclosed that in Karachi voting process at many polling stations started late due to the delayed delivery of ballot papers and ballot boxes.
The report also expressed concern over pre-poll violence in different cities, especially in Sindh capital and killings of the candidates and citizens.
Source: Daily Times
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