KARACHI: Proposals for free, fair elections presented
KARACHI, July 14: Speakers at a seminar on Thursday recommended proposals for holding of free, fair and impartial local bodies elections, and feared that elections might be rigged. Speaking at a seminar on “credible, transparent local bodies elections”, Mir Hyder Talpur suggested that a proportional system of representation be introduced in the country. The people, he said, have not yet been given power to elect their true representatives, adding decisions in this regard are made elsewhere.
President of the Nazria Pakistan Foundation (Sindh) Nusrat Mirza said the situation was heading towards a bloodshed even before the elections. He said such seminars be held regularly so that peace and tranquillity could prevail.
He said the rulers usually make decisions regarding LB polls well before the voting. He was of the view that the rulers do not hesitate to violate the Constitution, not to speak of the wishes of the comman man.
He lauded the former city Nazim for his services to the city, saying “the services of Niamatullah have no parallel in the history of the country.”
He said by making several beautiful parks in the city, the former nazim tried to change the face of the city, adding parks were the psychological need of citizens.
Azmat Qadri said amendments to Sindh Local Government Ordinance should have been made after fully implementing the ordinance.
He observed that the SLGO was not implemented fully and its major parts remained untouched.
He expressed concern over allegations levelled by political parties on each other and apprehensions of masses about the bloodshed during the elections.
Aishrat Hussain Rizvi, representing an NGO, urged the non-governmental organizations, to come forward and play their role in holding of free, fair and impartial elections.
Nawaz Arayn of the Pakistan Institute of Labour and Research alleged that the local bodies’ system had been distorted by those who initiated it.
The seminar was organized by the Human Rights Network (Sindh Chapter). Others who spoke included Younus Khan, Qadir Bux Advocate, and Noor Mohammad Pathan.—PPI
