- Non-binding resolution moved during session with only 15 lawmakers in attendance
- PTI, JI, PPP says constitution ‘violated’ in upper house of parliament
ISLAMABAD: In an utterly surprising move, the Upper House of Parliament on Friday passed a resolution seeking to delay the polls due to security concerns, adding to the uncertainty about the general elections slated for February 8, 2024.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamaat-e-Islami and the PML-N opposed the non-binding resolution, which was moved by independent Senator Dilawar Khan during a session with only 15 lawmakers in attendance. The upper house of the Parliament has a total of 100 members.
Senator Khan in the resolution said the Constitution upheld the right to vote for every citizen of Pakistan and the Election Commission of Pakistan was bound to conduct free and fair polls in contingent upon inclusivity and ensuring the participation of all regional people.
“The vote turnout in colder areas remains notably high during the moderate weather conditions. January and February are recognised as the coldest months in the majority of the areas in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” it stated.
Resolution passed by majority in the Senate today….! @appcsocialmedia @GovtofPakistan @MoIB_Official pic.twitter.com/K1OnrldizV
— Senate of Pakistan (@SenatePakistan) January 5, 2024
The resolution moved by Senator Dilawar got the approval in the presence of 15 senators, who were the only lawmakers present in the upper house of 100.
PTI Senator Gurdeep Singh voted against the resolution while PPP Senator Behramand Tangi voted in favour of it. Following the vote, the Senate chairman adjourned the session indefinitely.
The resolution said various political parties had expressed their reservations regarding difficulties in ensuring participation in cold areas during the electoral process.
It also noted with “great concern” that the recent attempts on the lives of JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, former lawmaker Mohsin Dawar, and other political figures had raised concerns about the safety of political leaders.
The Ministry of Interior has conveyed serious threats to the lives of prominent politicians increasing the challenges faced by political parties in exercising their right to a free and fair election,” the resolution said.
It added that there had been a spike in attacks on security forces and citizens, particularly in KP and Balochistan. “The intelligence agencies have warned of militant attack on election rallies in both provinces,” the resolution stated.
“Cognisant of the resurgence of Covid-19 in the country and the health sector’s concerns about the potential further spread reaffirm that while holding the judgment of the Supreme Court regarding the election date in the highest esteem, the Senate of Pakistan, being the defender of the rights of the federating units is obligated to ensure the constitutional guarantees and eliminate fears of the smaller provinces, especially vulnerable geographical territories.
“The Senate of Pakistan hereby resolves that the conduct in elections without addressing legitimate concerns, facilitating sufficient opportunities for election campaign and guaranteeing the safety of politicians and citizens would amount to violation of fundamental rights,” Dilawar added.
The election schedule may be postponed to facilitate the “effective participation of people from all areas of Pakistan and belonging to all political shades”, he demanded, adding that the delay aimed at upholding constitutional rights to political participation.
“The ECP is urged to promptly implement the postponement and ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place to facilitate the smooth conduct of elections and the revised date.
“The process of filing nomination papers and scrutiny shall continue with the revised extended timelines. The ECP shall engage proactively with relevant stakeholders, political parties and communities to address their concerns and foster an environment conducive to free and fair elections,” Dilawar said, adding that the house was confident in the ability of the electoral watchdog to oversee the revised poll schedule.
The Senate Secretariat later issued a notification regarding the resolution’s approval.
It requested the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs to take necessary action and submit a report to the secretariat within two months on the resolution’s central demands.
‘Baloch and Pakhtun are dying’
Immediately after the resolution was passed, PML-N Senator Afnanullah said the security situation in the country was indeed not good but highlighted that the conditions were worse in 2008 and 2013 when elections were held.
“Will you delay elections on the pretext of weather and security?” he asked. “Why didn’t you say these things in 2008 and 2013? I want to keep this forward on record that general elections were held twice in February,” the senator said, alleging that “boot polish” had once again begun.
Afnanullah questioned if Pakistan could be run without constitutional institutions. “Is this what you want? You don’t want a Parliament in the country?” he asked.
He said that several people wanted the elections to be delayed because of “personal benefits”.
Meanwhile, independent Senator Hidayatullah Khan said he had registered nine first information reports in the past two weeks over threats he had received.
“The provincial candidate of the JUI-F escaped a bomb blast yesterday. We need to look at the situation with an open mind,” he stressed, claiming that pamphlets by the outlawed Daesh had been distributed in Bajaur district.
“If there is consensus that elections can be delayed, what will happen? Does any party have anything against terrorism in their manifestos? At least tell this to the nation first,” Hidayatullah said.
“Chairman sahib, if this house has passed a resolution, it should be valued,” he emphasised. “We are dying, the Baloch and Pakhtun are dying, but no one cares. We don’t have the strength to pick up any more bodies,” the senator lamented.
Addressing Afnanullah, Hidayatullah stated: “Your area is peaceful, you have been provided with a smooth level playing field. But value those who are dying every day. Balochistan and Fata are slipping from your hands.”
On the other hand, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) Senator Manzoor Ahmed said there was no denying that Pakistan’s security and economic situation had worsened over time.
“We cannot ignore terrorism and if we do so, the nation won’t forgive us. The rise in terrorism in KP in the last few days is in front of us. If we close our eyes, the damage will be more,” he said.
Ahmed mentioned the killing of six barbers in North Waziristan recently, highlighting that there were several areas in Balochistan and KP where people thought twice before leaving their houses. “I salute the people who contest election in these areas.”
The senator said he supported the resolution, adding that delaying elections for six to eight months would not be problematic.
‘Political parties slam Senate resolution as unconstitutional’
Political parties rejected the non-binding resolution adopted by Senate, seeking a delay in general elections, saying that further deferring the electoral process would be “unconstitutional”.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman, while addressing a press conference after the resolution was approved in the upper house of parliament, said that the party has a clear stance that the elections should not be put off.
“We absolutely do not support the delay in elections,” she said, adding that the PPP didn’t favour the Senate resolution.
Meanwhile, PPP Senator Shahadat Awan — who was not present during the session — said that his party wants elections to be staged under any circumstances.
“This is rebellion against the Constitution. It was a [pre-planned] move and a conspiracy because the the polls must be held on time,” he said.
He reiterated that the resolution was tabled under a “plan” as the matter was not part of the Order of the Day today. Senator Awan said that the PPP is fully prepared for the polls.
“Those who can see their defeat [in elections] want to delay the polls,” he added.
Sher Afzal Marwat, central leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which also abstained from voting on the motion, said the Constitution was “violated” in the Senate.
“The resolution for delay in general elections is an attack on the Constitution,” he said, adding that there is no single clause in the charter for putting off the polls.
Marwat also said that Article 6 applies to all those who voted in favour of the resolution. No one can approve an anti-constitutional resolution in the Senate, he added.
Condemning the approval of the Senate resolution, Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq said that the motion was a conspiracy against the country and democracy.
“Who will bring the democracy on track if it is derailed,” he said, stressing that delaying elections due to unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan would be tantamount to surrendering before the ones causing unrest.
Haq said that peace and stability in the country could be ensured only through timely elections. He said that his party wants free and fair elections in the country on February 8.
The elections are set to take place in 90 days when an assembly is dissolved, but the polls in all five legislative are yet to be held and they’ve already surpassed their constitutional limit.
The polls for KP and Punjab assemblies — dissolved in January last year — have not been held for around a year, while the national, Balochistan, and Sindh assemblies have been pushed past their limits as well already.
With the fears rife of delays, a petition was also moved in the Supreme Court, following which the apex court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and President Arif Alvi to announce a date, which they did: February 8.
However, some political actors have been raising concerns about the security situation as well as the weather conditions. They say that they don’t want a delay, but called for the redressal of their problems.
