LAHORE: Comprehensive electoral reforms are imperative for a transparent and true democracy in the country, says Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Senator Sirajul Haq.

He told a press conference at Mansoora on Thursday that the articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution were not decoration pieces but were there for implementation. He said the election system must be overhauled well before the next elections to restore the confidence of the masses in the activity.

He said the masses had realised by now that the present electoral system solved the problems of the rulers and not the masses. He said he would meet the heads of political parties including Asif Ali Zardari, Imran Khan and Maulana Fazlur Rahman to bring them on one page regarding electoral reforms.

Mr Haq said the general public was losing faith in the electoral system and the polling process and the masses were disappointed, which was giving rise to unrest and even terrorism.

He said he wanted to restore the public confidence in the electoral system. He said the ROs in the Election Commission should be made fully independent and responsible and the election staff should be placed under them. This was essential to hold someone responsible for rigging or other illegalities in the polls, he said.

The JI chief said the candidates must also be required to file a certificate for having given away the share of their sisters and daughters, etc., in the inherited property.

He said casting vote was the right of every citizen but generally women had to face great problems in this regard. Special steps should be taken to facilitate them, he added.

He also demanded that the overseas Pakistanis should be provided an opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2017