PESHAWAR
Amun Taraqqi Party (ATP) chairman Muhammad Faiq Shah called for building up a broad-based consensus and consultation in electoral reforms to ensure free, fair and transparent polls.
Referring to concerns that had been raised by opposition to the government’s electoral reforms, he said the unilateral reforms agenda will make the future of elections controversial.
Shah stressed there is a dire need for evolving a national consensus on electoral reforms to ensure that the next general elections are held in a fair, free and transparent manner, without any interference.
He expressed fear that electoral reforms without consultation will raise complaints of rigging elections and stolen public mandate, like it allegedly raised about 2018.
“Any election related legislation must be based on broad-based consensus, the ATP chief asserted while chairing a meeting here at the party’s central office on Thursday.
The ATP chairman was of the view that ECP is responsible both for holding free, fair and impartial elections in the country and to hold an inclusive dialogue with all political parties on the subject of electoral reforms.
Commenting on the controversial Elections (Amendment) Bill 2023, he opposed the granting greater powers to the caretaker government through this legislation, fearing that it will not only hamper efforts for free, fair and impartial elections but also conduct of timely elections.
He also warned democracy would be in great trouble, if the attempts were made to delay in holding national elections.
Shah asked the government to avoid laying the foundation to make the upcoming general elections controversial.
He criticized the rulers who had made legislations for personal interests and never passed laws for public welfare and betterment in the parliament.
