ISLAMABAD, Jan 20: A joint meeting of Pakistan People’s Party Central Executive and Federal councils on Sunday rejected military government’s right to amend the Constitution, acquiescing at least two changes - restoration of joint electorate system and increase in women seats.

The meeting, presided over by PPP Vice-Chairperson Makhdoom Amin Fahim, had one-point agenda— review of present changes announced by the National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB).

A resolution adopted at the meeting said the concept of constitutional amendments in this manner, other than prescribed in Articles 238 and 239 of the Constitution, infringed on the prerogative and sovereignty of any future parliament.

The party also flayed abolition of special seats for minorities as given in the original Constitution of 1973. The meeting called for the restoration of reserved seats for minorities saying that it was required for eliminating the socio-political imbalance among Pakistanis belonging to minority groups.

“The PPP will indemnify constitutional amendments pertaining to the joint electorates in a future election without prejudice to its views disputing the right of the military regime to make constitutional amendments,” it added.

The meeting opposed condition of minimum educational qualification of graduation for the candidates. This betrayed government’s designs of imposing, an official party dubbed as ‘elitist party’ or ‘regime’s party’ in the next general elections, it added.

PPP called for replacement of the present regime with a government of national consensus for ensuring free, fair and impartial elections in the country.

Other measures spelt out in the resolution were: announcement of election results through district returning offices on the pattern of 1985 elections, use of multi-identity card for voting as opposed to single identity card and introduction of transparent ballot boxes.

Acting Secretary-General Mian Raza Rabbani observed that the announcement made by the NRB lacked clarity and piece-meal changes were being made to manipulate the political system of the country.

He pointed out that the first instalment of alteration in electoral system had made no mention of the upper house of the Parliament and the provincial legislatures.

Mr Rabbani commenting on the delimitation of constituencies said it could not be done unless election commission was complete.

He demanded of the government to immediately lift ban on political activities since the extremist, ethnic and sectarian elements were benefiting from the ban on mainstream political parties to carry out their activities.

He said, all the political leaders who were abroad should be allowed to return and those in prison including Asif Zardari, Jehangir Badar and Yousaf Raza Gillani should be released.

“ The Pakistani nation will consider any elections held without Benazir Bhutto’s participation as farce,” he said.

He also underlined the need for enhancing the Election Commission’s powers.