KARACHI, Sept 15: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed serious apprehensions about the shape of things to come in the country’s political sphere after the general elections.

Speaking at press briefing in a local hotel on Sunday, the Chairperson of the HRCP, Afrasiab Khattak, noted with concern the new laws governing the conduct of the general elections and various measures undertaken “to secure pre-determined results.”

At the press briefing he was flanked by Hina Jilani, the Secretary-General of the HRCP, Saleema Hashmi, Vice Chairperson of the Punjab chapter of the HRCP, and I. A. Rehman, the Director of the HRCP.

Expressing serious reservations on steps such as “ignoring the views” of an overwhelming majority of the people, political parties, and various civil society groups, the HRCP chairperson said the constitution must not be altered in any way other than the procedure prescribed in the basic law itself.

“The regime has carried out changes to the 1973 constitution to an extent that the basic features of the federation based on a parliamentary form of government have suffered erosion,” he said.

He was of the view that the proposed National Security Council would negatively effect the status of parliament and the concentration of powers in the hands of the head of state would undermine the authority of the prime minister and the cabinet.

Hina Jilani said we consider most of the political steps since 1999 pre-poll rigging.

“The Legal Framework Order diminishes the importance of democratic dispensation, and the HRCP will evaluate the forthcoming general elections in the backdrop of marginaliza-tion of political parties,” she added.

Responding to a question, I. A. Rehman said if level playingfield was not available, democratic choice would not be possible.

He appreciated the presence of foreign observer missions in the country monitoring pre-poll activities, and said HRCP observers would also accompany foreign observers during the polling process.

He claimed that only such ordinances as were against the interest of the public had been promulgated, and said an ordinance pertaining to access to information had yet to come.

“The HRCP is of the opinion that the post-election dispensation will further polarize society and create new difficulties in the management of state affairs,” Mr Reman said.

The HRCP Chairperson, Mr Afrasiab, said the graduation condition for candidates meant that now only a small minority had the right to represent the people.

The demand for an independent Election Commission had not been fully conceded, he said, adding that the decision that General Pervez Musharraf would remain President for another five years as a result of the referendum could not be justified by any democratic criterion.

“Similarly, separate voters lists for Ahmadis cannot be defended, and measures specifically targeting certain political elements and individuals have been adopted,” the HRCP chairperson said.

“There have been regular reports of transfers of government officials despite prohibitory orders of the Election Commission, and also reports of government resources and personnel being used for selecting and screening candidates, and candidates being pressured to withdraw from the contest,” he added.

The “no-go areas” would make fair elections in those areas impossible.

Referring to a two-day deliberations of the HRCP Council where further deterioration of the human rights situation in the country was apprehended, he expressed concern at the future scenario as regards the state of human rights in the country.