ISLAMABAD: Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah has asked the government to convene an all-party conference to discuss electoral reforms, adding that such reforms are necessary to strengthen democracy and democratic traditions in the country.

In a letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Mr Shah said the electoral reforms committee had made little progress and alleged that “the government seems to have lost interest in the matter following the PTI’s decision to call off its sit-in”.

Terming electoral reforms the need of the hour, he warned that if rulers did not expedite the reforms process the nation would be compelled to believe that the government was never serious in improving the election system.

Mr Shah wrote the letter almost a week after his party’s Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari urged the Special Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms to expedite its work, saying that the government’s agreement with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on judicial commission would not address fundamental issues related to the elections.

Mr Zardari said in a statement that the parliamentary committee should complete its task within a time frame. He also suggested that the committee should invite proposals from the general public and stakeholders for arriving at a broad-based consensus for lasting and durable solution of election-related issues.

Mr Shah asked the parliamentary committee to present its recommendations before parliament as early as possible.

He said an all-party conference should be convened to reach consensus on “comprehensive and effective electoral reforms” and to ensure that no one raised doubts on future elections.

He felicitated the prime minister on reaching an understanding with the PTI on the formation of a judicial commission to probe allegations of rigging in the May 2013 general elections. He termed the agreement a welcome development and in the country’s best interest.

The PPP leader said his party had always rejected the politics of confrontation and advocated the policy of reconciliation. The PPP itself had adopted the reconciliation policy as it believed that undemocratic steps and non-political behaviours were detrimental to the country and the nation, he added.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play