THIS refers to the editorial ‘Inexcusable remarks’ (Sept 12) which has rightly pointed out the rude behaviour of a minister who, during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, used foul language against the office of the chief election commissioner.

The minister concerned has a history of being in the limelight for seriously wrong reasons, and his recent outburst against the head of a constitutional body should not be taken lightly. One hopes that the prime minister has taken notice of the matter already.

As for the electronic voting machines (EVMs), they are highly controversial. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has already raised objections on legal and other grounds, and the opposition has taken a stand against it on political grounds. The best course of action would have been to sit and discuss each and every objection.

The ECP in the past used to be polite and somewhat submissive, but now things have changed. Therefore, our political parties must realise that the ‘good’ old days are gone, and now the ECP is independent and no one can influence it.

It will be a big setback to the system if, instead of reaching a consensus, a unilateral approach is adopted by any single party.

Lt-Col (retd) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt
Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2021