Election Nomination Form

The government has returned the draft of the Election Nomination Form (ENF) with the Proposed Changes in it back to the ECP with many reservations upon the proposed changes. The law minister addressing the mediamen said that after the ECP addresses to the reservations the ENF will be sent to the president who will send it to the Law Ministry for advice and subsequently to the parliament for its approval and acceptance. Answering to a question he said that the Electoral Reform Bill will also be similarly presented to the parliament for enactment if the time permitted. This is strange to say the least.  Firstly the approval of the proposed changes by the president, who being the Co-chairman of a political party has naturally to safeguard the interest of the allegedly 70 per cent of the present non-tax-paying legislators. Secondly, there is not much time left for undertaking all this exercise and yet have time for the parliament to pass the bills before it automatically ce ases to exit after completing its term on 16 March 2013. Does it not amount to killing the proposed electoral reforms and enabling the similar luteras and plunderers to be once again the legislators and rulers of this hapless nation?

Oh Allah the most munificent, towards You only we look and from You alone we seek mercy upon us, ameen.

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)