THIS is in response to the article ‘The logic of controversy’ ( Feb 17) by Cyril Almeida. The point is not that how tough is the removal of the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) under Articles 213(2) and 209.

The point of concern is: have they been appointed under a due process laid down clearly in the Constitution? Is the writer telling the readers that Articles 213(2) and 209 would protect the illegality in the appointment of ECP members? This seems illogical.

In another point, he suggests that anti-democrats are always keen on true democracy in Pakistan. I think this is an attempt to protect two major players of the status quo of Pakistani politics -- the PPP and the PML (N) -- who believe in electables, power concentration and exploitation.

The federal and provincial governments under these democrats purposely failed to create a  foundation of the institution of democracy, the local government, the third tier of government, because both do not believe in devolving power at the grassroots level. Therefore, portraying both parties as democratic does not seem logical.

The ECP has confirmed the doubts raised by stakeholders and lawyers by not responding to the complaints of several political parties in by-elections in Punjab and Sindh and about the violation of elections’ code of conduct by the two major parties.

The ECP has been incapable of conducting scrutiny of voters’ list in Karachi in the presence of military personnel, particularly in Lyari, Manghopir, Sohrab Goth, Malir and other areas where the media and even the law-enforcement agencies avoid going.

The ECP has to prove its writ, otherwise the dream of fair and free elections will remain elusive and the so-called democrats, who have already been tested, will keep on ruining this country for the next five years.

DR S. M. TAHA Karachi