Govt claims win, Opp terms Apex court Senate verdict govt ‘failure’

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: After the Supreme Court decision, the Election Amendment Ordinance came to an end as Senate elections will now be held as per the secret ballot. While, after the verdict, treasury benches and opposition parties are interpreting the verdict of apex court differently.

Federal Minister for Information Senator Shibli Faraz addressing a press conference at Civil Secretariat Peshawar said, “The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of Pakistani to ensure transparency in the elections,” Shibli Faraz said.

“Supreme Court says secret ballots are not permanent and now it is the duty of the Election Commission to make ballot paper traceable by placing bar code on the ballot paper,” he further added.

He asked ECP to take steps for transparent elections as per the order of the Supreme Court. He said Senate elections are taking place after two days and we are trying our best to elect people free from corruption in the Upper House,” Shibli Faraz said.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is aware of justice and transparency and our party wanted that money should not be used in the Senate elections this time so we approached the Supreme Court.

The minister alleged that the Opposition wants to repeat what happened in old Pakistan. He opined that Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh is honest and we hope that he will win the Islamabad seat.

Fawad Chaudhry

Separately, Federal Science Minister Fawad Chaudhry said, “The Supreme Court has acknowledged the stance on eradicating corruption, discouraging horse trading and members’ transactions and has not adhered to the principle of full secret ballot. The ECP has been asked to take steps for transparent elections. Includes traceable ballot.”

Senator Faisal Javed Khan

Senator Faisal Javed Khan said, “Secret ballot is not there till the doomsday and identification of vote in Senate election will be possible.” Faisal Javed said Imran Khan wants to end corruption at all levels, while the Opposition wants corruption at all levels.

Talking to reporters outside the Supreme Court, PTI’s Senator Faisal Javed termed the opinion a “splendid decision” and a “victory for Pakistan”.

Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan had on Dec 23, 2020, moved the 11-page reference under Article 186 of the Constitution relating to the advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

He said he was grateful to the court for listening to everyone. “The attorney general’s team worked hard and great arguments were done. Such a detailed discussion on the Senate has not happened before.”

It may be recalled that president Arif Alvi had sought the answer to the question of whether or not the condition of the secret ballot under Article 226 of the Constitution applied to the Senate elections. The hearing started on January 4.

Opposition Reaction

PML-N Maryam Aurengzaib talking to a private media channel said, “This government came with the support of allies. If we remove the allies from then this government will stand anymore.”

“We got seats as per our proportion in Punjab Assembly and this was our successful strategy,” Maryam said.

“There will be a historic election due on March 3 and with the power of vote Yousaf Raza Gillani will gain victory,” PML-N Spokesperson said.

Nayyar Bukhari Former Chairman of Senate Nayyar Bukhari said, “Supreme Court has given opinion that these Senate elections are as per the constitution of Pakistan.”

Nayyar Bukhari said, “This government and its advisers have no knowledge of the constitution and haphazardly they file the reference and then ordinance.”

Syed Hassan Murtaza

Parliamentary Leader PPP Syed Hassan Murtaza said the Supreme Court decision on secret balloting regarding Senate elections is a victory of constitution and law. “

SCP’s opinion on Senate elections is paramount that the presidential reference to seek opinion was based on malafide intention,” he said.