None of the Above

The ECP has done well to introduce the ‘None of the Above” box in the ballot papers and has asked for a Presidential ordinance to be issued in this respect to incorporate the change in the electoral rules. However, I hasten to draw the ECP attention to an important point before the ordinance is issued in the form it is requested. The ECP has presently laid down that in the event of 51 per cent or more voters affixing their seal on this box, fresh elections would be held in that constituency. I have three suggestions to make in this respect.  (ONE) The number of voters opting for this box should not be subjected to the condition of 51 percent of the votes cast.  It would be VERY VERY rare that in any constituency this box would ever get 51 per cent or more votes of the total votes cast, as this box will be just like another contestant amongst the many and the votes are bound to be divided between them all.  Its status  should, therefore,   determined in the same manner as would be the case for all other candidates, that is; getting more votes than anyone else. If the box “None of the Above” gets more votes than any other candidate, it should be accepted as the ‘winner’ and the polls declared void to be held again.   (TWO)  If, however, the 51 per cent condition is to be retained than it MUST also be applicable to the winning candidate in a constituency and he/she MUST poll 51 percent or more of the total votes cast.  And, if in a constituency no one polls 51 per cent or more votes none should be declared as the winner and the polls are held again. (THREE) The candidates once rejected by the voters by this method of opting for ‘None of the Above” should be automatically debarred from contesting again for the obvious reason of their having been rejected by the constituents.

Qadam barhao ECP hum tumhare sath hein

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)