The Supreme Court announced its opinion on the presidential reference regarding the Senate elections and maintained that polls will be through secret ballot. The move was not entirely surprising as the court was expected to refer the matter to parliament and hold the polls according to the law and constitution.
The top court has, however, suggested that the ECP can use latest technology to hold transparent elections, adding the secrecy of the vote is not ‘absolute.’ The court has placed the responsibility with the ECP whether it can implement changes but what that entails is unknown with just a couple of days left before the polls. The government has rushed to the ECP and urged to have ‘traceable’ votes which can identify who cast the vote to ensure they are held in a free and fair manner.
The government made efforts to ensure the Senate elections are held in a transparent manner. The prime minister has spoken on numerous occasions on the need to end horse-trading and other malpractices in the polls. Lawmakers could switch allegiances and vote against party lines without any accountability and there was a need to end this. However, the failure to bring reforms in the past two years and the lack of support from the opposition has maintained the archaic system.
With all eyes on the Senate elections, political leaders have suspended their activities and gathered in the federal capital for electioneering. The prime minister has also suspended political activities and postponed the cabinet meeting to woo disgruntled party leaders. Despite the reassurances, the PTI could also face a challenge from the MQM and GDA in Sindh which could affect the fragile coalition.
The main focus is on the Islamabad seat where a tough contest is expected between PTI candidate Hafeez Shaikh and PDM’s joint candidate Yousuf Raza Gilani. The government has to elect Shaikh or else he risks losing his position as finance minister which could put the next budget into jeopardy. The PDM is making all out-efforts to ensure that Gilani returns to parliament.
The controversy over the Senate polls is unlikely to end anytime soon. It needs to be seen if the polls are truly secret or identifiable as it can alter strategies and allegiances. It is imperative that polls are held in a fair manner and both sides work on reforms to ensure allegations or rumours are put to rest.
