ISLAMABAD, Jan 15: The federal government assured the Supreme Court on Tuesday that general elections would be held on time and in a free and fair manner.

“The federal government desires that free and fair elections be held in the country on time in accordance with the law and the Constitution,” stated a two-paragraph statement submitted by Attorney General Irfan Qadir.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was hearing a case regarding implementation of its June 8, 2012, order in which directions were issued to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The Workers Party, represented by senior counsel Abid Hassan Minto, had moved the petition.

In a comprehensive verdict, the apex court had asked the ECP to take steps for discouraging extravagance, show of wealth, power and pageantry in future elections and make arrangements to ensure that the polls are conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law and that corrupt practices are guarded against.

On Tuesday, the court asked the attorney general to state the government’s stand on the general elections after the court noted that the current National Assembly was going to complete its five-year term.

After getting instructions from the prime minister on phone, the AG informed the court about the government’s stand.

“It is to be noted that as the government is itself desirous of conducting/holding free and fair elections in the country in accordance with the law and the Constitution, therefore, the ECP is directed to gear up itself to hold the forthcoming elections in accordance with the Constitution, particularly, meeting the requirements of holding free and fair elections,” the court directed in its order.

Representing the ECP, Advocate Munir Paracha submitted a comprehensive reply, stating that the commission had made all necessary preparations required to be in place for conducting free, fair and transparent elections.

The statement said the commission was ready to hold the elections in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the law.The court directed the AG to go through the reply of the commission and assist the court on the issues raised in the judgment and in the implementation report filed by the ECP.

The AG was directed to undertake an exercise to fulfil the directions issued by the court in the judgment like directing the commission to ensure that all elections witnessed a substantial participation of the electorate by taking necessary steps to ensure compulsory voting in Pakistan as early as possible.

The direction also suggested that the ‘First Past the Post’ system of election violated the principle of majority because the winning candidate did not command the majority of the votes polled as he failed to receive an absolute majority in the elections.

The court directed the commission to explore ways and means of introducing an appropriate system of election including ‘run-off election’ to ensure true representation of people and rule of the majority.

The ECP was directed to ensure that the elections were conducted justly, fairly, honestly.